Glass plate processing system

Abstract

To provide a glass plate machining system that makes it possible to shorten the movement distance of a machining device until it arrives at a side edge of a small-sized glass plate having small areas of the upper and lower surfaces, to shorten the arrival time (non-machining time) for the machining device to arrive at the side edge of the small-sized glass plate, and to shorten the cycle time of machining.SOLUTION: A glass plate machining system 10 comprises first matching means. When a glass plate having different upper and lower surface areas is to be machined, the first matching means matches, to a side edge extending in a front-back direction with respect to one width direction of a glass plate to be machined first, a side edge extending in the front-back direction with respect to one width direction of a glass plate that has a different area and is to be subsequently machined. In the glass plate machining system 10, the first matching means matches, to the side edge extending in the front-back direction with respect to one width direction of the glass plate to be machined first, the side edge extending in the front-back direction with respect to one width direction of the glass plate that has a different area and is to be subsequently machined, and the glass plate that has the different area and is to be subsequently machined is machined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glass plate processing system for processing glass plates such as automobile window glass plates and liquid crystal display glass plates, and more specifically to a glass plate processing system for feeding glass plates sequentially through a cutting area, a bending area, and a grinding area, and performing cutting, bending, and grinding on the glass plates. [Background technology]

[0002] A glass plate processing system is disclosed that is composed of an inlet conveyor that carries in glass plates, a cutting processing area located in front of the inlet conveyor, a slitting processing area located in front of the slitting processing area, a grinding processing area located in front of the slitting processing area, an outlet conveyor located in front of the grinding processing area, and a transport mechanism that transports the glass plates from the inlet conveyor to each processing area (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The cutting area of ​​this glass plate processing system includes a cutting table having a first movement mechanism that moves in the width direction with a positioned glass plate placed thereon, and a cutting device that is movable in the front-to-rear direction. In the cutting area, the cutting device moves rearward in the front-to-rear direction toward the outward width of the edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table, and then the first movement mechanism moves the cutting table in the width direction toward the cutting device, and the cutting device is used to make a cut in the edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table. The splitting area includes a cutting table on which the positioned glass plate after being cut is placed, and a splitting device that is movable in the front-to-rear direction. In the splitting area, the splitting device moves rearward in the front-to-rear direction toward the cutting table, and then the splitting device is used to split the edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table where the cut was made.

[0004] The grinding area has a grinding table with a second movement mechanism that moves in the width direction while holding the positioned glass plate after bending and cutting, and a grinding device that can move in the front-to-rear direction. In the grinding area, the grinding device moves rearward in the front-to-rear direction toward the outer side of the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table in the width direction, and then the second movement mechanism moves the grinding table in the width direction toward the grinding device, and the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table is ground using the grinding device. Note that the cutting and grinding are performed synchronously. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-040877 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a conventional glass plate processing system, for example, after cutting, bending, and grinding are performed on a large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having large areas on the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, when processing a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having smaller areas on the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 than the large-sized glass plate 11a, as shown in Figure 23, which is a top view of the glass plates 11a and 11b positioned according to a conventional positioning standard, the small-sized glass plate 11b is positioned by aligning the center point O2 of the small-sized glass plate 11b with the center point O2 of the large-sized glass plate 11a on the input conveyor, and then the small-sized glass plate 11b is subjected to cutting, bending, and grinding.

[0007] As can be seen from FIG. 23, after the large-sized glass sheet 11a has been cut, broken, and ground, the small-sized glass sheet 11b is positioned by aligning the center point O2 of the large-sized glass sheet 11a with the center point O2 of the small-sized glass sheet 11b, and when cutting the small-sized glass sheet 11b, the cutting device moves outward in the width direction of one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b placed on the cutting table, and the cutting table moves in the width direction toward the cutting device positioned outward in the width direction of the glass sheets 11a and 11b. The cutting is performed by moving the cutting device, but the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table) until the cutting device reaches one side edge 14 of the small-sized glass sheet 11b is longer by L3 than the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table) until the cutting device reaches one side edge 14 of the large-sized glass sheet 11a, and the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table) until the cutting device returns from one side edge 14 of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to the outside in the width direction of the glass sheet 11b is also longer by L3. Therefore, the arrival time until the cutting device reaches the side edge 14 of the small-sized glass sheet 11b and the return time until the cutting device returns from one side edge 14 of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to the outside in the width direction of the glass sheet 11b are long, and the cutting process cannot be performed quickly on the small-sized glass sheet 11b.

[0008] Furthermore, after the large-sized glass plate 11a has been cut, broken, and ground, the small-sized glass plate 11b is positioned by aligning the center point O2 of the small-sized glass plate 11b with the center point O2 of the large-sized glass plate 11a, and when grinding the small-sized glass plate 11b, the grinding device moves outward in the width direction of the side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the grinding table, and the grinding table moves in the width direction toward the grinding device positioned outward in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b. Grinding is performed, but the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table) of the grinding device until it reaches one side edge 14 of the large-sized glass plate 11a is longer by L3 than the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table) of the grinding device until it reaches one side edge 14 of the small-sized glass plate 11b, and the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table) of the grinding device until it returns from one side edge 14 of the small-sized glass plate 11b to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate 11b is also longer by L3. Therefore, the arrival time of the grinding device until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small-sized glass plate 11b and the return time of the grinding device until it returns from one side edge 14 of the small-sized glass plate 11b to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate 11b are long, and grinding of the small-sized glass plate 11b cannot be performed quickly.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a glass sheet processing system that can shorten the travel distance of a processing device to reach the side edges of a small-sized glass sheet having small upper and lower surface areas and the travel distance of the processing device to return from the side edges of the small-sized glass sheet outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the processing device to reach the side edges of the small-sized glass sheet and the return time (non-processing time) for the processing device to return from the side edges of the small-sized glass sheet outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, and can also shorten the processing cycle time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a glass sheet processing system that can shorten the travel distance of a cutting device to reach the side edges of a small-sized glass sheet having small upper and lower surface areas and the travel distance of the cutting device to return from the side edges of the small-sized glass sheet outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the cutting device to reach the side edges of the small-sized glass sheet and the return time (non-processing time) for the cutting device to return from the side edges of the small-sized glass sheet outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, and can also shorten the cutting cycle time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a glass plate processing system that can shorten the distance that a grinding device travels until the area of ​​the upper and lower surfaces reaches the side edge of a small-sized glass plate and the distance that the grinding device travels from the side edge of the small-sized glass plate to return outward in the width direction of the glass plate, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the grinding device to reach the side edge of the small-sized glass plate and the return time (non-processing time) from the side edge of the small-sized glass plate to return outward in the width direction of the glass plate, and can also shorten the grinding process cycle time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The premise of the present invention for solving the above problem is a glass plate processing system having an input area into which glass plates to be processed are loaded, a processing area located in front of the input area where the glass plates are processed, an output area located in front of the processing area where the processed glass plates are loaded, and a transport mechanism that transports the glass plates sequentially from rear to front in the longitudinal direction to these areas.

[0011] A feature of the present invention based on the above premise is that, when processing glass plates of different sizes and with different upper surface areas, the glass plate processing system has a first positioning means for positioning the outermost edge in the width direction of one side edge extending in the front-to-rear direction of the glass plate of different sizes and with different areas to be processed later, on a virtual line extending in the front-to-rear direction based on the outermost edge in the width direction of the side edges extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate to be processed first, which is located furthest outward in the width direction; and in the glass plate processing system, the outermost edge of the glass plate of different sizes and with different areas to be processed later is positioned on the virtual line by the first positioning means, and then the glass plate to be processed later is processed.

[0012] As an example of the present invention, when processing glass plates of different sizes with different upper surface areas, the glass plate processing system includes a second positioning means that aligns a center line that halves the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate to be processed first and extends in the width direction with a center line that halves the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate of different sizes and with different areas to be processed later, and the glass plate processing system positions the glass plate to be processed later by aligning the center line of the glass plate of different sizes and with different areas to be processed later with the center line of the glass plate to be processed first using the second positioning means, and then processes the glass plate to be processed later.

[0013] In another example of the present invention, the first positioning means and the second positioning means are implemented in the carry-in area.

[0014] In another example of the present invention, the processing area is formed by a notching area located in front of the carry-in area, a bending area located in front of the notching area, and a grinding area located in front of the bending area, the notching area includes a notching table having a first moving mechanism that moves in the width direction with a positioned glass sheet placed thereon, and a notching device that is movable in the front-rear direction and makes notches in the edge of the glass sheet placed on the notching table, the bending area includes a notching table on which the positioned glass sheet after notching is placed, and a notching device that is movable in the front-rear direction and bends the edge of the glass sheet placed on the notching table, and the grinding area includes However, the glass plate processing system includes a grinding table having a second moving mechanism that moves in the width direction while the positioned glass plate after bending and splitting is placed on it, and a grinding device that is movable in the front-to-rear direction and grinds the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table.In this glass plate processing system, the first positioning means positions the outermost edges of the glass plates of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later on an imaginary line to position the glass plates to be processed later, and the second positioning means positions the center lines of the glass plates of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later on the center line of the glass plate to be processed first, and then the glass plates to be processed later are cut, bent, and ground.

[0015] In another example of the present invention, the loading area includes an loading conveyor that transports the glass plate from the rear to the front in the front-to-rear direction of the loading area, a stopper against which the front edge of the glass plate abuts when the glass plate is moved forward using the loading conveyor, a plurality of rollers that abut against the underside of the glass plate and hold the glass plate movable in the width direction, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the rollers in the vertical direction, and a third movement mechanism that presses the other side edge of the glass plate that has been raised together with the rollers by the first lifting mechanism in the width direction and moves the glass plate in the width direction from the other side edge toward one side edge, and the first positioning means presses and moves the other side edge of the glass plate that has been raised together with the rollers by the first lifting mechanism in the width direction using the third movement mechanism, thereby positioning the outermost edge that is located furthest outward in the width direction of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate at a first positioning reference that extends in the front-to-rear direction as a virtual line in the loading area.

[0016] In another example of the present invention, at least one of the rollers has a high rotational resistance, and the roller with the high rotational resistance prevents the glass sheet positioned on the roller from moving freely in the width direction.

[0017] In another example of the present invention, the third movement mechanism includes an abutment member that abuts against the other side edge of the glass plate and a servo motor that moves the abutment member in the width direction, and the glass plate processing system determines a first movement dimension in the width direction for positioning the outermost edge of one of the width direction side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the width direction at a first positioning reference in accordance with differences in the width direction dimensions of the glass plate, and determines the number of rotations of the servo motor shaft based on the determined first movement dimension.

[0018] In another example of the present invention, after the glass plate moves from the rear to the front of the loading area using the loading conveyor and the front edge of the glass plate abuts against the stopper, the second positioning means moves the glass plate backward in the front-to-rear direction using the loading conveyor, thereby positioning the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference in the loading area; and after the first positioning means positions the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference using the second positioning means, the first lifting mechanism lifts the glass plate together with the roller, and the third moving mechanism presses and moves the other side edge of the raised glass plate in the width direction, thereby positioning the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the width direction at the first positioning reference in the loading area.

[0019] As another example of the present invention, in a glass plate processing system, a second movement dimension in the forward / backward direction of the loading conveyor is determined in order to position the center line of the glass plate at a second positioning reference depending on the difference in the forward / backward dimensions of the glass plate, and in the second positioning means, after the front edge of the glass plate abuts against the stopper, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate in the forward / backward direction by the determined second movement dimension.

[0020] In another example of the present invention, the second positioning means positions the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate at the first positioning reference in the loading area, and then lowers the glass plate that has been raised by the first lifting mechanism, and moves the glass plate rearward in the fore-and-aft direction using the loading conveyor, thereby positioning the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference in the loading area.

[0021] As another example of the present invention, in a glass plate processing system, a second movement dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the loading conveyor is determined in order to position the center line of the glass plate at a second positioning reference in accordance with differences in the front-to-rear dimensions of the glass plate, and in a second positioning means, after the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the widthwise direction is positioned at the first positioning reference, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the determined second movement dimension.

[0022] In another example of the present invention, the conveying mechanism includes suction pads located in the loading area, cutting processing area, folding processing area, and grinding processing area to suction and hold the glass plate, a vacuum mechanism that imparts suction force to the suction pads to the glass plate, and a second lifting device that lowers the suction pads toward these areas and raises them from these areas, and in the glass plate processing system, the installation position of the suction pads in the front-to-back or width directions can be changed to match the area of ​​the top and bottom surfaces of the glass plate.

[0023] In another example of the present invention, the transport mechanism includes a pad mounting plate extending in the front-to-back or width direction, and in the transport mechanism, at least two suction pads aligned in the front-to-back or width direction are arranged on the pad mounting plate, and the installation positions of the suction pads on the pad mounting plate in the front-to-back or width direction can be changed.

[0024] In another example of the present invention, the suction pad located in the cutting processing area is formed from an inner suction pad that suction-holds the glass plate extending inside the cut, and an outer suction pad that suction-holds the edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut, the inner suction pad being mounted on a pad mounting plate, and the outer suction pad being mounted on a pad mounting arm that extends diagonally in the front-to-back direction or width direction from the front and rear end portions or both ends of the pad mounting plate.

[0025] In another example of the present invention, the pad installation arm is formed from first and second arms that extend diagonally from the front end or one end of the pad installation plate forward in the front-to-rear direction or outward in the width direction and pivot in the width direction or front-to-rear direction, and third and fourth arms that extend diagonally from the rear end or other end of the pad installation plate backward in the front-to-rear direction or outward in the width direction and pivot in the width direction or front-to-rear direction, and the transport mechanism is capable of changing the pivot angles of the first to fourth arms relative to the pad installation plate and of changing the installation positions of the outer suction pads on the first to fourth arms. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the glass plate processing system of the present invention, the first positioning means positions the outermost edge in the width direction of one of the side edges extending in the front-rear direction of glass plates of different sizes to be processed later, which have different areas, on a virtual line extending in the front-rear direction based on the outermost edge located in the width direction outward of the side edges extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate to be processed first, and then the glass plate to be processed later is processed.Therefore, the movement distance of the processing device until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of a large-size (large-area) glass plate with larger areas of the upper and lower surfaces and the outermost edge (side edge) of a small-size (small-area) glass plate with smaller areas of the upper and lower surfaces than the large-size (large-area) glass plate are reduced. ), the travel distance of the processing device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the large-sized glass sheet to its return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet is equal to the travel distance of the processing device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet to its return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, thereby shortening the travel distance of the processing device to reach the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet and the travel distance of the processing device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet to its return outward in the width direction of the glass, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the processing device to reach the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet and the return time for the processing device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet to its return outward in the width direction of the glass. The glass sheet processing system can quickly process small-sized glass sheets and shorten the processing cycle time.

[0027] In the case of processing glass sheets of different sizes having different upper surface areas, the glass sheet processing system includes a second positioning means for aligning a center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass sheet to be processed first in half and halving the front-rear dimension of the glass sheet to be processed first, and a center line extending in the width direction of the glass sheet of different sizes having different areas to be processed later, and the glass sheet to be processed later is processed after positioning the glass sheet to be processed later by aligning the center line of the glass sheet of different sizes having different areas to be processed later with the center line of the glass sheet to be processed first by the second positioning means. The glass plate to be processed later is positioned by positioning the outermost edge of the side edges extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plates of different sizes and having different areas, and by using the second positioning means, the center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plate to be processed first is positioned at the center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plate to be processed later, thereby positioning the glass plates of different sizes and having different areas on their top and bottom surfaces.This makes it easy to position glass plates of different sizes and having different areas on their top and bottom surfaces, and by reducing the positioning time, glass plates with different areas on their top and bottom surfaces can be processed quickly and the processing cycle time can be reliably reduced.

[0028] In a glass plate processing system in which the first positioning means and the second positioning means are implemented in the loading area, the glass plate is placed in a pre-positioned state in the processing area located in front (downstream) of the loading area, so that accurate processing can be performed on the glass plate and small-sized glass plates can be processed quickly, thereby shortening the processing cycle time.

[0029] The processing area is formed by a cutting processing area located in front of the carry-in area, a slitting processing area located in front of the cutting processing area, and a grinding processing area located in front of the slitting processing area, and the slit processing area is equipped with a cutting processing table having a first moving mechanism that moves in the width direction with a positioned glass plate placed on it, and a cutting device that is movable in the front-rear direction and cuts a slit into the edge of the glass plate placed on the slit processing table, and the slit processing area is equipped with a cutting processing table on which the positioned glass plate is placed after slitting, a grinding table having a second moving mechanism that moves in the width direction with the positioned glass sheet placed thereon after being bent and split; and a grinding device that is movable in the front and rear directions and grinds the edge of the glass sheet placed on the grinding table. The first positioning means positions the outermost edges of the glass sheets of different sizes, which have different areas to be processed later, on an imaginary line, and the second positioning means positions the glass sheets to be processed later. In a glass plate processing system in which the center lines of glass plates of different sizes having different areas to be processed later are aligned with the center line of a glass plate to be processed first by a positioning means to position the glass plate to be processed later, and then cutting, splitting, and grinding of the glass plate to be processed later are performed, the first positioning means positions the outermost edges of glass plates of different sizes having different upper surface areas to be processed later on an imaginary line to position the glass plate to be processed later, and the second positioning means positions the center lines of glass plates of different sizes having different upper surface areas to be processed later on the center line of the glass plate to be processed first to position the glass plate to be processed later, and then cutting of the glass plate to be processed later is performed, so that the movement distance (the movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table) of the cutting device to reach the side edges of large-sized (large-area) glass plates with larger upper and lower surface areas is equal to the movement distance (the movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table) of the cutting device to reach the side edges of small-sized (small-area) glass plates with smaller upper and lower surface areas than large-sized (large-area) glass plates,The distance that the cutting device travels from the outermost edge (side edge) of a large-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet is equal to the distance that the cutting device travels from the outermost edge (side edge) of a small-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, thereby shortening the distance that the cutting device travels to reach the side edge of a small-sized glass sheet and the distance that the cutting device travels from the outermost edge (side edge) of a small-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, and thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the cutting device to reach the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet and the return time for the cutting device to return from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet. In the glass plate processing system, the outermost edges of the glass plates of different sizes and having different upper surface areas to be processed later are positioned on an imaginary line by the first positioning means, and the center lines of the glass plates of different sizes and having different upper surface areas to be processed later are positioned on the center line of the glass plate to be processed first by the second positioning means, and then the glass plates to be processed later are ground. Therefore, the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table) of the grinding device until it reaches the side edges of a large-sized (large-area) glass plate with large upper and lower surface areas and the movement distance (movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table) of the grinding device until it reaches the side edges of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate with smaller upper and lower surface areas than a large-sized (large-area) glass plate are The distance (the distance traveled in the width direction of the grinding table) between the large-sized glass sheet and the small-sized glass sheet becomes equal, and the distance traveled by the grinding device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the large-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet becomes equal to the distance traveled by the grinding device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, thereby shortening the distance traveled by the grinding device to reach the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet and the distance traveled by the grinding device from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the grinding device to reach the side edge of the small-sized glass sheet and the return time for the grinding device to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet from the outermost edge (side edge) of the small-sized glass sheet. The glass sheet processing system can quickly perform cutting and grinding on small-sized glass sheets,The cycle time for cutting and grinding can be shortened.

[0030] the carry-in area has a carry-in conveyor that transports the glass sheet from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction of the carry-in area; a stopper that the front edge of the glass sheet abuts against when the glass sheet is moved forward using the carry-in conveyor; a plurality of rollers that abut against the underside of the glass sheet to hold the glass sheet movable in the width direction; a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the rollers in the up and down direction; and a third movement mechanism that presses in the width direction the other side edge of the glass sheet that has been raised together with the rollers by the first lifting mechanism, and moves the glass sheet in the width direction from the other side edge toward one side edge, and the first positioning means presses and moves in the width direction the other side edge of the glass sheet that has been raised together with the rollers by the first lifting mechanism, so that the outermost edge that is located furthest outward in the width direction of one side edge of the glass sheet is aligned with a first positioning reference that extends in the front-rear direction as an imaginary line in the carry-in area. The glass plate processing system for positioning the glass plate presses and moves the other side edge of the glass plate raised together with the roller in the width direction, and positions the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, on a first positioning reference that extends in the front-to-back direction as a virtual line in the loading area.Therefore, the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges extending in the front-to-back direction of the glass plate to be processed first can be accurately positioned on a virtual line that is based on the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges extending in the front-to-back direction of the glass plate to be processed first, which is located furthest outward in the width direction.This ensures that glass plates of different sizes and with different areas on their top and bottom surfaces can be positioned reliably, and the first positioning means can be performed automatically without human intervention by using the loading conveyor, stopper, roller, first lifting mechanism, and third moving mechanism.

[0031] In a glass plate processing system in which at least one of a plurality of rollers has a high rotational resistance and the roller with the high rotational resistance prevents the glass plate positioned on the roller from moving freely in the width direction, when the other side edge of the glass plate raised together with the roller is pressed in the width direction by a third moving mechanism, the glass plate does not move in the width direction by inertia due to the rotation of the roller, and inadvertent movement of the glass plate in the width direction can be prevented, and the outermost edge that is located furthest out in the width direction of the side edges extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate can be accurately positioned at the first positioning reference in the loading area.

[0032] The third movement mechanism includes an abutment member that abuts against the other side edge of the glass plate and a servo motor that moves the abutment member in the width direction, and determines a first movement dimension in the width direction for positioning the outermost edge of one of the width direction side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the width direction at a first positioning reference in accordance with differences in the width direction dimensions of the glass plate, and determines the number of rotations of the servo motor shaft based on the determined first movement dimension.Since the glass plate processing system determines a first movement dimension in the width direction for positioning the outermost edge of one of the width direction side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the width direction at a first positioning reference in accordance with differences in the width direction dimensions of the glass plate and determines the number of rotations of the servo motor shaft based on the determined first movement dimension, the third movement mechanism can accurately move the glass plate in the width direction by the first movement dimension, and can accurately position the outermost edge of the side edges extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate at the first positioning reference in the loading area.

[0033] The second positioning means moves the glass sheet rearward in the front-to-rear direction using the carry-in conveyor after the carry-in conveyor moves the glass sheet from the rear to the front of the carry-in area so that the front edge of the glass sheet abuts against the stopper, thereby positioning the center line of the glass sheet at a second positioning reference in the carry-in area, and the first positioning means positions the center line of the glass sheet at the second positioning reference using the second positioning means, then lifts the glass sheet together with the rollers using the first lifting mechanism, and presses and moves the other side edge of the lifted glass sheet in the width direction using the third moving mechanism, thereby positioning the outermost edge that is located furthest outward in the width direction of one side edge of the glass sheet in the width direction at the first positioning reference in the glass sheet processing system. The glass plate is positioned at the second positioning reference, and further, the other side edge of the raised glass plate is moved in the width direction by the third moving mechanism to position the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate at the first positioning reference in the loading area.Therefore, the center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-back dimensions of the glass plate to be processed first in half can be accurately positioned to the center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-back dimensions of the glass plate of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later, and the outermost edge of the front-to-back side edges of one of the widthwise sides of the glass plate of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later can be accurately positioned to a virtual line extending in the front-to-back direction based on the outermost edge that is outermost in the width direction of the side edges extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate to be processed first. The glass plate processing system can reliably position glass plates of different sizes with different areas on the top and bottom surfaces, and can automatically perform the second positioning means without human intervention by using an input conveyor, and can automatically perform the first positioning means without human intervention by using a first lifting mechanism and a third moving mechanism.

[0034] A glass plate processing system determines a second rearward movement dimension of the loading conveyor in the front-to-rear direction in order to position the center line of the glass plate at a second positioning reference in accordance with the difference in the front-to-rear dimensions of the glass plate, and in a second positioning means, after the leading edge of the glass plate abuts against the stopper, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the determined second movement dimension.Since the system determines a second rearward movement dimension of the loading conveyor in the front-to-rear direction in order to position the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference in accordance with the difference in the front-to-rear dimensions of the glass plate, and after the leading edge of the glass plate abuts against the stopper, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate rearward in the front-to-rear direction based on the determined second movement dimension, the glass plate can be accurately moved rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the loading conveyor by the second movement dimension, and the center line extending widthwise by dividing the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plate in half can be accurately positioned at the second positioning reference in the loading area.

[0035] The second positioning means positions the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate at the first positioning reference in the loading area, and then lowers the glass plate that has been raised by the first lifting mechanism and moves the glass plate backward in the front-to-back direction using the loading conveyor, thereby positioning the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference in the loading area.This glass plate processing system moves the glass plate backward in the front-to-back direction using the loading conveyor, thereby positioning the center line that bisects the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate and extends widthwise at the second positioning reference in the loading area.Therefore, the center line of the glass plate to be processed first can be accurately aligned with the center lines of glass plates of different sizes and with different areas of the top and bottom surfaces to be processed later, ensuring reliable positioning of glass plates of different sizes and with different areas of the top and bottom surfaces.Furthermore, the second positioning means can be performed automatically using the loading conveyor without human intervention.

[0036] In a glass plate processing system in which a second movement dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the loading conveyor is determined in accordance with differences in the front-to-rear dimensions of the glass plate, so that the centerline of the glass plate is aligned with a second positioning reference, and in which, after the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the widthwise direction is aligned with the first positioning reference by the second positioning means, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate backward in the front-to-rear direction by the determined second movement dimension.The second movement dimension of the loading conveyor in the front-to-rear direction is determined in accordance with differences in the front-to-rear dimensions of the glass plate, so that the centerline of the glass plate that extends in the widthwise direction is aligned with the second positioning reference, and after the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the widthwise direction is aligned with the first positioning reference, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate backward in the front-to-rear direction based on the determined second movement dimension.Therefore, the loading conveyor can accurately move the glass plate backward in the front-to-rear direction by the second movement dimension, and the centerline of the glass plate can be accurately aligned with the second positioning reference in the loading area.

[0037] The glass plate processing system includes a conveying mechanism that includes suction pads positioned in the loading area, cutting area, bending area, and grinding area to suction and hold the glass plate, a vacuum mechanism that applies suction force to the suction pads to the glass plate, and a second lifting device that lowers the suction pads toward these areas and raises them from these areas, and is capable of changing the installation position of the suction pads in the front-to-back or width directions to match the area of ​​the top and bottom surfaces of the glass plate.In the case of a large-sized (large-area) glass plate with large top and bottom surfaces, the suction pads can be moved outward in the front-to-back or width directions to position the suction pads at the optimal location on the glass plate, and conversely, in the case of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate with small top and bottom surfaces, the suction pads can be moved inward in the front-to-back or width directions to position the suction pads at the optimal location on the glass plate, so that glass plates with different top and bottom surface areas can be reliably transported to each processing area by the conveying mechanism.

[0038] In a glass plate processing system in which a transport mechanism includes a pad mounting plate extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction, at least two suction pads arranged in the front-rear direction or the width direction are arranged on the pad mounting plate, and the installation positions of the suction pads on the pad mounting plate in the front-rear direction or the width direction can be changed, the glass plate is suction-held by the at least two suction pads arranged in the front-rear direction or the width direction and arranged on the pad mounting plate, so the glass plate can be reliably held by the suction pads.By changing the installation positions of the suction pads in the front-rear direction or the width direction on the pad mounting plate in accordance with the areas of the top and bottom surfaces of the glass plate, the glass plate processing system can arrange the suction pads in optimal positions for glass plates with different top and bottom surface areas, and glass plates with different top and bottom surface areas can be reliably transported to each processing area by the transport mechanism.

[0039] In a glass plate processing system in which the suction pads located in the cutting processing area are formed from an inner suction pad that suction-holds the glass plate extending inside the cut and an outer suction pad that suction-holds the edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut, and the inner suction pad is installed on a pad mounting plate and the outer suction pad is installed on a pad mounting arm that extends diagonally in the front-to-back or width direction from the front and rear ends or both ends of the pad mounting plate, the glass plate extending inside the cut is suction-held by the inner suction pad and the edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut is suction-held by the outer suction pad, so that the edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut will not inadvertently fall off during transport of the glass plate, and the glass plate can be safely transported to the bending processing area after cutting processing.

[0040] The pad installation arm is formed of first and second arms that extend diagonally from the front end or one end of the pad installation plate forward in the front-to-rear direction or outward in the width direction and swivel in the width direction or front-to-rear direction, and third and fourth arms that extend diagonally from the rear end or other end of the pad installation plate backward in the front-to-rear direction or outward in the width direction and swivel in the width direction or front-to-rear direction, and the rotation angles of the first to fourth arms relative to the pad installation plate can be changed, and the installation positions of the outer suction pads on the first to fourth arms can be changed.By changing the rotation angles of the first to fourth arms relative to the pad installation plate and changing the installation positions of the outer suction pads on the first to fourth arms in accordance with the areas of the top and bottom surfaces of the glass plate, the outer suction pads can be positioned in optimal positions for the edge extending outside the notch in glass plates with different top and bottom surface areas, and the edge of the glass plate that extends outside the notch will not fall off during transport of the glass plate, and the glass plate can be safely transported to the bending and cutting processing area after cutting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an example glass sheet processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of a glass plate processing system. [Figure 3] Side view of the loading area. [Figure 4] Top view of loading area. [Figure 5] Front view of the loading area. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a top view of suction pads of first to fourth glass plate holders shown as an example. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the movement of the cutting table and the grinding table. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of a cutting device shown as an example installed in a cutting processing area. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of a grinding device installed in a grinding processing area. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a top view of a glass plate positioned in an input area. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a top view of a glass plate positioned using conventional alignment datums. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The glass plate processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, such as Fig. 1, which is a side view of a glass plate processing system 10 shown as an example. Fig. 2 is a top view of the glass plate processing system 10, and Fig. 3 is a side view of the carry-in area 19. Fig. 4 is a top view of the carry-in area 19, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the carry-in area 19. Figs. 6(a) to 6(d) are top views of the suction pads 41, 41a, and 41b of the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d shown as an example. In Figs. 1 and 2, the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) is indicated by arrow Y, and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) is indicated by arrow Z.

[0043] The glass sheets 11a and 11b processed in the glass sheet processing system 10 have an upper surface 12 with a predetermined area, a lower surface 13 with a predetermined area, and a predetermined thickness, and are formed into a rectangular (quadrilateral) shape that is elongated in the width direction (see FIG. 22). The glass sheets 11a and 11b have one side edge 14 and the other side edge 15 that extend in the front-to-rear direction and are spaced apart in the width direction, and a front edge 16 and a rear edge 17 that extend in the width direction and are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The glass sheets 11a and 11b have four corners (first to fourth corners 18a to 18d) that are chamfered. Note that the glass sheets may be formed into a polygonal shape other than a rectangle (quadrilateral) in the plan view, or may be formed so that each edge of the glass sheet is curved.

[0044] The glass plate processing system 10 performs cutting, bending, and grinding on glass plates 11a, 11b (plate-shaped glass) of different sizes, ranging from a large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having a large area on the top surface 12 and the bottom surface 13 to a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having a small area on the top surface 12 and the bottom surface 13. The glass plate processing system 10 is controlled by a controller (control device) (not shown). The controller is a computer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU or MPU) and memory (main memory and cache memory), runs on an independent operating system (virtual OS), and has a built-in large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area). Input devices (not shown), such as a keyboard or numeric keypad, and output devices (not shown), such as a monitor, display, or touch panel, are connected to the controller.

[0045] The controller's large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area) stores (stores) the names and product numbers of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, a plurality of coordinate data for each glass plate 11a, 11b (coordinates of side edges 14, 15, front and rear edges 16, 17, coordinates of first to fourth corners 18a-18d, coordinates of the centers of glass plates 11a, 11b, etc.), which vary depending on the size (area) and shape of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, and image data (planar images (six-sided images) and stereoscopic images (3D images)) of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, associated with glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifiers) that identify glass plates 11a, 11b. The glass plate identification information may be the manufacturing number or serial number of glass plates 11a, 11b, or the controller may generate unique identifiers that identify glass plates 11a, 11b, and use the generated identifiers as glass plate identification information.

[0046] The controller uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored on a large-capacity hard disk to numerically control the cutting device 60 and the cutting device 79 (described later) during the cutting process in the cutting process area 20 and the grinding process in the grinding process area 22 (described later). In NC control, the controller digitizes the position where coordinate processing (XY plane coordinates) starts and the position where the processing direction changes, and digitizes the movement direction, distance, and speed of two axes, the X axis (front-back direction) and the Y axis (width direction). Signals that digitize the command coordinates and axes are sent (input) to the cutting device 60 and the cutting device 79. In NC control, the desired shape is accurately represented by repeating the cycle of "coordinate → axis → command."

[0047] The glass sheet processing system 10 includes a carry-in area 19 (processing start area) into which unprocessed glass sheets 11a, 11b are loaded, a carry-out area 23 (processing end area) into which the processed glass sheets 11a, 11b are carried out, and a plurality of processing areas 20-22 arranged (installed) between the carry-in area 19 and the carry-out area 23 to process the glass sheets 11a, 11b. The glass sheets 11a, 11b are transported from the rear (upstream) to the front (downstream) in the front-rear direction to the carry-in area 19, the processing areas 20-22, and the carry-out area 23 in this order, and a cutting device 60 and a grinding device 108 are operated in the front-rear direction. fart The processing areas 20 to 22 are arranged in the front-rear direction between the carry-in area 19 and the carry-out area 23, facing each other and spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0048] These processing areas 20-22 are formed from a cutting processing area 20 located forward (downstream) of the carry-in area 19 in the front-to-rear direction and spaced a predetermined distance forward from the carry-in area 19, a slitting processing area 21 located forward (downstream) of the slitting processing area 20 in the front-to-rear direction and spaced a predetermined distance forward from the slitting processing area 20, and a grinding processing area 22 located forward (downstream) of the slitting processing area 21 in the front-to-rear direction and spaced a predetermined distance forward from the slitting processing area 21. The slitting processing area 20, slitting processing area 21 and grinding processing area 22 are built on a system base 25 (machine base) shaped like a rectangle that is long in the front-to-rear direction.

[0049] The transport mechanism 24 has a pair of first pillars 26a located at the rear of the system base 25 and extending in the vertical direction, a pair of second pillars 26b located at the front of the system base 25 and extending in the vertical direction, a fixed frame 27 located between the first and second pillars 26a, 26b and extending in the front-to-back direction, a first moving means 28 formed on one side of the fixed frame 27, and a second moving means 29 formed at the bottom of the fixed frame 27.

[0050] The first moving means 28 moves the cutting device 60 and the grinding device 108 forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The first moving means 28 is formed of a first guide frame 30, a pair of first guide rails 31, a first feed screw (ball screw) (not shown), a first traveling frame 32, a plurality of first slide blocks (housing nuts) (not shown), a pair of first guide shoes 33, and a first servo motor 34 (see FIG. 11). The first guide frame 30 is attached to the fixed frame 27 and extends in the front-rear direction. The first guide rails 31 are spaced apart and opposed to each other in the vertical direction, and are fixed to one side of the first guide frame 30 by a predetermined fixing means and extend in the front-rear direction. The first feed screw (ball screw) moves the first guide rails 31. 1 and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not shown) fixed to one side of the first guide frame 30, and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0051] The first traveling frame 32 is located on one side of the first guide frame 30 and extends in the front-rear direction. The first slide blocks (housing nuts) are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the front-rear direction and fixed by a predetermined fixing means to the surface of the first traveling frame 32 that faces the first guide frame 30. The first guide shoes 33 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and face each other, and are fixed by a predetermined fixing means to the surface of the first traveling frame 32 that faces the first guide frame 30, extending in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The first servo motor 34 is located at the front end of the first guide frame 30 and is connected to the second pillar 26b via a bracket. The shaft of the first servo motor 34 is connected and fixed to the other end of the first lead screw. A control unit that controls the start / stop and rotation speed of the first servo motor 34 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the first servo motor 34 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the first servo motor 34 at a predetermined rotation speed and number of rotations, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the first servo motor 34 rotates the first lead screw, and the rotation of the first lead screw causes the cutting device 60 and the grinding device 108 to move forward and backward (linearly) in the front-back direction (X-axis direction).

[0053] When the shaft of the first servo motor 34 rotates counterclockwise, the first lead screw rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the first lead screw causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, and the movement of the first slide block causes the first running frame 32 to move in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30. Conversely, when the shaft of the first servo motor 34 rotates clockwise, the first lead screw rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the first lead screw causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-rear direction from the rear to the front of the first guide frame 30, and the movement of the first slide block causes the first running frame 32 to move in the front-to-rear direction from the rear to the front of the first guide frame 30.

[0054] The second moving means 29 moves first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d (described later) forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The second moving means 29 is formed of a second guide frame 35, a pair of second guide rails 36, a second feed screw (ball screw) (not shown), a second traveling frame 37, a plurality of second slide blocks (housing nuts) (not shown), a pair of second guide shoes 38, a second servo motor 39, and the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d (first to fourth glass plate lifters) (see FIG. 16). The second guide frame 35 is attached to the fixed frame 27 and extends in the front-rear direction. The second guide rails 36 are spaced apart and opposed to each other in the width direction, and are fixed to the lower part of the second guide frame 35 by predetermined fixing means, extending in the front-rear direction. The second feed screw (ball screw) is located between the second guide rails 36, and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not shown) fixed to the lower part of the second guide frame 35, extending in the front-to-rear direction.

[0055] The second traveling frame 37 is located below the second guide frame 35 and extends in the front-rear direction. The second slide blocks (housing nuts) are spaced apart in the width direction and fixed by a predetermined fixing means to the surface of the second traveling frame 37 that faces the second guide frame 35. The second guide shoes 38 are spaced apart in the width direction and are fixed by a predetermined fixing means to the surface of the second traveling frame 37 that faces the second guide frame 35, extending in the front-rear direction.

[0056] The second servo motor 39 is located at the rear end of the second guide frame 35 and is fixed to the fixed frame 27. The shaft of the second servo motor 39 is connected to and fixed to one end of the second feed screw via a timing belt (and / or gear). A control unit that controls the start / stop and rotation speed of the second servo motor 39 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the second servo motor 39 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the second servo motor 39 at a predetermined rotation speed and number of rotations, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the second servo motor 39. The rotation of the second servo motor 39 rotates the second feed screw, and the rotation of the second feed screw causes the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d to move forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0057] When the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates clockwise, the second feed screw rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the second feed screw causes the second slide block to move toward the second guide frame 35. rear From the side before When the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates counterclockwise, the second feed screw rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the second feed screw moves the second slide block in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35, and the movement of the second slide block moves the second running frame 37 (the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d) in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35. Conversely, when the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates counterclockwise, the second feed screw rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the second feed screw moves the second slide block in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35, and the movement of the second slide block moves the second running frame 37 (the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d) in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35.

[0058] The first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d are attached to the lower part of the second traveling frame 37 and extend downward from the traveling frame 37. The first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d are aligned at equal intervals in the front-to-rear direction. Each of the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d includes a suction pad 41 that suction-holds the glass plates 11a and 11b, a pad mounting plate 42 extending in the front-to-rear direction, first to fourth arms 43a to 43d (only the second holder 40b), a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (air vacuum pump) (not shown), and an air cylinder (second lifting device) (not shown). A control unit that controls the start and stop of the vacuum mechanism and the air cylinder is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0059] The suction pads 41 of the first glass plate holder 40a, the third glass plate holder 40c, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d are as shown in FIG. 6 (a),Fig. 6 (c),Fig. 6 As shown in (d), two of the suction pads 41 are attached to the pad installation plate 42. Three or more suction pads 41 may be attached to the pad installation plate 42. The pad installation plate 42 is provided with first and second slits 44 extending in the front-rear direction or width direction, and the suction pads 41 are fitted into the first and second slits 44. to It is fixed via a handle screw 45.

[0060] The installation positions of the suction pads 41 of the first glass plate holder 40a, the third glass plate holder 40c, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d can be changed in the front-rear direction or width direction in the first and second slits 44 (pad installation plate 42). To change the installation positions of the suction pads 41, the handle screw 45 is rotated counterclockwise to release the suction pads 41 from the first and second slits 44, and the suction pads 41 are moved in the front-rear direction or width direction (to change the installation position), and then the handle screw 45 is rotated clockwise to fix the suction pads 41 to the first and second slits 44 (pad installation plate 42).

[0061] As shown in Fig. 5(b), the suction pad 41 of the second glass plate holder 40b is composed of an inner suction pad 41a and an outer suction pad 41b. The inner suction pad 41a suction-holds the glass plates 11a and 11b extending inside the notches formed in the edge portions e (peripheries) of the glass plates 11a and 11b by the notching device 60 (notching cutter wheel 71). The outer suction pad 41b suction-holds the edge portions e of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending outside the notches formed in the edge portions e (peripheries) of the glass plates 11a and 11b by the notching device 60 (notching cutter wheel 71).

[0062] Two inner suction pads 41a are attached to the pad mounting plate 42. Three or more inner suction pads 41a may be attached to the pad mounting plate 42. First and second slits 44 extending in the front-rear direction or width direction are perforated in the pad mounting plate 42, and the inner suction pads 41a are fixed to the first and second slits 44 via handle screws 45.

[0063] The installation positions of the inner suction pads 41a of the second glass plate holder 40b can be changed in the front-rear direction or width direction in the first and second slits 44 (pad installation plate 42). To change the installation positions of the inner suction pads 41a, the handle screw 45 is rotated counterclockwise to release the inner suction pads 41a from the first and second slits 44, and the inner suction pads 41a are moved in the front-rear direction or width direction (to change the installation position), and then the handle screw 45 is rotated clockwise to fix the inner suction pads 41a to the first and second slits 44 (pad installation plate 42).

[0064] The first and second arms 43a, 43b of the second glass plate holder 40b have their base ends rotatably attached to the front end or one end of the pad mounting plate 42, extend in the front-rear direction or width direction, and are inclined at a predetermined angle (relative to the axis of the pad mounting plate 42) toward one side of the width direction or the front-rear direction. The first and second arms 43a, 43b are fixed to the front end or one end of the pad mounting plate 42 via handle screws 45. The rotation angle of the first and second arms 43a, 43b relative to the axis of the pad mounting plate 42 can be changed. To change the rotation angle of the first and second arms 43a, 43b, rotate the handle screw 45 counterclockwise to release the first and second arms 43a, 43b from the front end or one end of the pad mounting plate 42, rotate the first and second arms 43a, 43b, and then rotate the handle screw 45 clockwise to fix the first and second arms 43a, 43b to the front end or one end of the pad mounting plate 42.

[0065] One outer suction pad 41b is attached to the first and second arms 43a, 43b via a mounting plate 46. Two or more outer suction pads 41b may be attached to the first and second arms 43a, 43b. A slit 47 extending in the front-rear direction or width direction is drilled in the first and second arms 43a, 43b, and the outer suction pad 41b is fixed to the slit 47 via a handle screw 45. The installation position of the outer suction pad 41b in the slit 47 (first and second arms 43a, 43b) can be changed in the front-rear direction or width direction, and it can be rotated horizontally in the slit 47 (first and second arms 43a, 43b). To change the installation position of the outer suction pad 41b and rotate the outer suction pad 41b, rotate the handle screw 45 counterclockwise to release the outer suction pad 41b from the slit 47 (first and second arms 43a, 43b), move the outer suction pad 41b in the front-to-back or width direction (to change the installation position), rotate the outer suction pad 41b together with the mounting plate 46 around the axis of the handle screw 45, and then rotate the handle screw 45 clockwise to fix the outer suction pad 41b to the slit 47 (first and second arms 43a, 43b).

[0066] The third and fourth arms 43c, 43d of the second glass plate holder 40b have their base ends rotatably attached to the rear end or the other end of the pad mounting plate 42, extend in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and are inclined at a predetermined angle (relative to the axis of the pad mounting plate 42) toward one side or the other of the width direction or the front-rear direction. The third and fourth arms 43c, 43d are fixed to the rear end or the other end of the pad mounting plate 42 via handle screws 45. The rotation angle of the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d relative to the axis of the pad mounting plate 42 can be changed. To change the rotation angle of the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d, rotate the handle screw 45 counterclockwise to release the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d from the rear end or other end of the pad mounting plate 42, rotate the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d, and then rotate the handle screw 45 clockwise to fix the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d to the rear end or other end of the pad mounting plate 42.

[0067] One outer suction pad 41b is attached to the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d via a mounting plate 46. Two or more outer suction pads 41b may be attached to the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d. A slit 47 extending in the front-rear direction or width direction is drilled in the third and fourth arms 43c, 43d, and the outer suction pad 41b is fixed to the slit 47 via a handle screw 45. The installation position of the outer suction pad 41b in the slit 47 (third and fourth arms 43c, 43d) can be changed in the front-rear direction or width direction, and it can be rotated horizontally in the slit 47 (third and fourth arms 43c, 43d). To change the installation position of the outer suction pad 41b and rotate the outer suction pad 41b, rotate the handle screw 45 counterclockwise to release the outer suction pad 41b from the slit 47 (third and fourth arms 43c, 43d), move the outer suction pad 41b in the front-to-back or width direction (to change the installation position), rotate the outer suction pad 41b together with the mounting plate 46 around the axis of the handle screw 45, and then rotate the handle screw 45 clockwise to fix the outer suction pad 41b to the slit 47 (third and fourth arms 43c, 43d).

[0068] In the glass plate processing system 10, the glass plates 11a and 11b are adsorbed and held by two suction pads 41 arranged in the front-to-back or width direction on the pad mounting plate 42, so that the glass plates 11a and 11b can be securely held by these suction pads 41. In the glass plate processing system 10, in the case of a large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having large areas on the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13, the suction pads 41 are moved outward in the front-to-back direction or outward in the width direction on the pad mounting plate 42 to increase the spacing between the suction pads 41 in the front-to-back direction or width direction, and in the case of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having small areas on the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13, the suction pads 41 are moved inward in the front-to-back direction or width direction to decrease the spacing between the suction pads 41 in the front-to-back direction or width direction.By changing the placement positions of the suction pads 41 on the pad mounting plate 42 in the front-to-back direction or width direction depending on the areas of the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b, the suction pads 41 can be positioned in the optimal positions for the glass plates 11a, 11b having different areas on the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13, and the glass plates 11a, 11b having different areas on the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 can be reliably transported to each processing area 20 to 22 by the transport mechanism 24.

[0069] In the glass plate processing system 10, the glass plates 11a and 11b extending inside the notches are sucked and held by the inner suction pads 41a installed on the pad installation plate 42, and the edge portions e of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending outside the notches are sucked and held by the outer suction pads 41b installed on the first to fourth arms 43a to 43d. Therefore, the edge portions e of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending outside the notches will not accidentally fall off during the transportation of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the glass plates 11a and 11b after the notches are processed can be easily held by the outer suction pads 41b. , 11b can be safely transported to the folding and cutting processing area 21.

[0070] The glass plate processing system 10 changes the rotation angle of the first to fourth arms 43a to 43d relative to the pad mounting plate 42 in accordance with the areas of the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b, changes the installation position of the outer suction pad 41b on the first to fourth arms 43a to 43d, and further rotates the outer suction pad 41b horizontally relative to the first to fourth arms 43a to 43d, thereby making it possible to position the outer suction pad 41b in the optimal position for the edge e extending outside the notch of the glass plates 11a, 11b having different areas on the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13, and therefore the edge e of the glass plates 11a, 11b extending outside the notch will not fall off during transport of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the glass plates 11a, 11b after notching can be safely transported to the bending and cutting processing area 21.

[0071] Of the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d, the first glass plate holder 40a reciprocates in the front-to-back direction between the carry-in area 19 and the slit processing area 20, advancing from the carry-in area 19 toward the slit processing area 20 and retreating from the slit processing area 20 toward the carry-in area 19. The second glass plate holder 40b reciprocates in the front-to-back direction between the slit processing area 20 and the cutting processing area 21, advancing from the slit processing area 20 toward the slit processing area 21 and retreating from the slit processing area 21 toward the slit processing area 20. The third glass plate holder 40c reciprocates in the front-to-back direction between the cutting processing area 21 and the grinding processing area 22, advancing from the cutting processing area 21 toward the grinding processing area 22 and retreating from the grinding processing area 22 toward the cutting processing area 21. The fourth glass plate holder 40d reciprocates back and forth between the grinding processing area 22 and the carry-out area 23, advancing from the grinding processing area 22 to the carry-out area 23 and retreating from the carry-out area 23 to the grinding processing area 22.

[0072] The carry-in area 19 has a carry-in conveyor 48, a stopper 49, a roller 50, a pair of lifting mechanisms 51 (first lifting mechanisms), and a moving mechanism 52 (third moving mechanism). The carry-in area 19 is supported by legs extending upward from the floor surface of the system stand 25. In the carry-in area 19, the first positioning means and the second positioning means are implemented, and the glass sheets 11a, 11b heading towards each of the processing areas 20 to 22 are positioned.

[0073] A first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) extending in the front-rear direction is set at one side edge 53a of the loading area 19, and a second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) extending in the width direction is set (see FIG. 22). The first positioning reference L1 is an imaginary line extending straight in the front-rear direction based on the outermost edge located farthest outward in the width direction among the side edges 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-size (large-area) glass sheet 11a (the glass sheet to be processed first). For example, if one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b is curved, the outermost edge is the apex of the curve located farthest outward in the width direction. Furthermore, if one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b extends straight in the front-rear direction, the side edge 14 is the outermost edge.

[0074] The first positioning reference L1 is located at the outermost edge of one of the side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plates 11a, 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction. Here, positioning the outermost edge at the first positioning reference L1 includes not only a case where the outermost edge completely coincides with the first positioning reference L1, but also a case where the outermost edge is located near (close to) the inside of the first positioning reference L1 in the width direction, or a case where the outermost edge is located near (close to) the outside of the first positioning reference L1 in the width direction.

[0075] The front-rear center O1 (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a, 11b in half) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plates 11a, 11b is positioned on the second positioning reference L2. Here, positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) on the second positioning reference L2 includes a case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) completely coincides with the second positioning reference L2, a case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) is positioned in the vicinity of (close to) the front of the second positioning reference L2, or a case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) is positioned in the vicinity of (close to) the rear of the second positioning reference L2.

[0076] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored on a large-capacity hard disk to calculate the widthwise dimension of each glass plate 11a, 11b, and determines a first widthwise movement dimension (first movement distance) for positioning one side edge 14 of each glass plate 11a, 11b at a first positioning reference L1 (a virtual first positioning reference line) based on the calculated difference in the widthwise (Y-axis) dimensions of the glass plates 11a, 11b. Based on the determined first movement dimension, the controller (glass plate processing system 10) then stores (stores) the determined first movement dimension and the determined shaft rotation speed of the third servo motor 56 in association with glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifiers) for each glass plate 11a, 11b on the large-capacity hard disk.

[0077] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored in a large-capacity hard disk to calculate the dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction), and determines a second rearward movement dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the carry-in conveyor 48 for positioning the front-to-rear center O1 of one side edge 14 of each glass plate 11a, 11b at a second positioning reference L2 (a virtual second positioning reference line) depending on the difference between the calculated front-to-rear dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b. The controller (glass plate processing system 10) stores (stores) the determined second movement dimension in the large-capacity hard disk in a state associated with glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0078] The controller (glass sheet processing system 10) calculates the movement dimensions (movement distances) of the cutting device 60 and the grinding device 108 in the front-rear direction based on the calculated front-rear dimensions of each glass sheet 11a, 11b, and determines the number of rotations of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 (the number of rotations of the shaft that moves the cutting device 60 and the grinding device 108 in the front-rear direction by the movement dimensions (movement distances)) based on the calculated movement dimensions. The controller (glass sheet processing system 10) stores (stores) the determined movement dimensions and the determined number of rotations of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 in a state associated with glass sheet identification information (glass sheet identification identifiers) of each glass sheet 11a, 11b on a large-capacity hard disk. The movement dimensions (movement distances) of the first to fourth glass sheet holders 40a-40d in the front-rear direction are stored (stored) in a state associated with the glass sheet identification information (glass sheet identification identifiers) of each glass sheet 11a, 11b on a large-capacity hard disk.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the carry-in conveyors 48 are multiple endless tracks extending in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y direction). A control unit that controls the start / stop and transport distance of the carry-in conveyors 48 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The carry-in conveyors 48 transport the glass sheets 11a, 11b from the rear end (carry-in entrance) to the front end (carry-out exit) of the carry-in area 19 in the front-to-rear direction. Stoppers 49 are installed at the front end of the carry-in area 19 and are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The front edges 16 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b that are moved forward by the carry-in conveyors 48 from the rear end to the front end of the carry-in area 19 abut against the stoppers 49. A contact sensor (not shown) is installed in the stoppers 49. The contact sensor is connected to the controller and detects the abutment of the front edge 16 of the glass plates 11a, 11b against the stopper 49, and upon detecting the abutment of the front edge 16 against the stopper 49, transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0080] The rollers 50 are rotatably attached to a plurality of shafts 54 extending in the front-rear direction, and are installed together with the shafts 54 between the carry-in conveyors 48. The rollers 50 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and at predetermined intervals in the width direction. The rollers 50 rotate in clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the width direction, and move the glass sheet 11a , The shafts 54 are attached to bases located below them via bearings, and are in contact with the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to hold the glass plates 11a and 11b in a manner that allows them to move in the width direction.

[0081] A resistance plate (rubber ring) (not shown) that increases the rotational resistance of roller 50a is attached between roller 50a of these rollers 50 and shaft 54. The resistance between roller 50a and shaft 54 ​​is increased by the resistance plate (rubber ring), and roller 50a will not rotate unless a rotational force that exceeds the rotational resistance is applied to roller 50a, and free rotation of roller 50a is prevented by the resistance plate. When glass sheets 11a and 11b are placed on these rollers 50, roller 50a, which has a large rotational resistance, prevents free movement of glass sheets 11a and 11b in the width direction. It is sufficient that a resistance plate (rubber ring) is attached between at least one of rollers 50 and shaft 54.

[0082] These lifting mechanisms 51 (first lifting mechanisms) are installed below a base to which shafts 54 are attached, and are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction. Air cylinders are used in these lifting mechanisms 51, and the shafts 54 and rollers 50, along with the base, are raised and lowered vertically by the air cylinders. The lifting and lowering dimensions of these air cylinders are set in advance. A control unit that controls the start and stop of these air cylinders (lifting mechanisms 51) is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the air cylinder (lifting mechanism 51) receives a lifting signal from the controller, it raises and lowers the air cylinder.

[0083] In addition, the loading conveyor 48 While the glass plates 11a and 11b are being transported, the rollers 50 (bases and shafts 54) are moved by the air cylinder (lifting mechanism 51) 48 When the rollers 50 (bases and shafts 54) are raised by the air cylinder (lifting mechanism 51), the rollers 50 are lowered below the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. 0 Part of the peripheral edge of each glass sheet 11a, 11b is exposed above the carry-in conveyor 48, and the glass sheets 11a, 11b are lifted above the carry-in conveyor 48 by the rollers 50.

[0084] The movement mechanism 52 (third movement mechanism) includes a rod 55 located above the carry-in conveyor 48 and the rollers 50, a third servo motor 56 (servo motor) installed (built-in) in the rod 55, a feed screw (feed screw mechanism) (not shown) installed (built-in) in the rod 55 and connected to the shaft of the third servo motor 56, a movement arm 57 extending downward from the rod 55, and an abutment member 58 installed at the lower end of the movement arm 57. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the third servo motor 56 (movement mechanism) is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The control unit of the third servo motor 56 drives the third servo motor 56 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed when it receives a drive signal from the controller, and stops driving the third servo motor 56 when it receives a stop signal from the controller.

[0085] The rod 55 is attached to the rear surface of the first pillar 26a and extends in the width direction. The moving arm 57 is movably mounted on a feed screw, and moves linearly from one side to the other in the width direction along the rod 55 as the feed screw rotates due to rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 56. The abutting member 58 moves linearly from one side to the other in the width direction together with the moving arm 57 as the moving arm 57 moves in the width direction. When the roller 50, raised by the air cylinder (elevating mechanism 51), is in contact with the underside 13 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, the abutting member 58 abuts against the other side edge 15 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, and presses the glass sheets 11a and 11b in the width direction so that the glass sheets 11a and 11b move in the width direction.

[0086] It should be noted that a linear motor (direct-acting motor) may be used in addition to the third servo motor 56, and the linear motor (movement mechanism) may be installed on the rod 55. When the linear motor is installed on the rod 55, the linear motor moves from one side to the other in the width direction along the rod 55, and the moving arm 57 and the abutment member 58 move from one side to the other in the width direction accordingly. A control unit that controls the start / stop and movement distance of the linear motor (movement mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0087] Fig. 7 is a top view of the cutting table 59 and the grinding table 107, and Fig. 8 is a side view of the cutting table 59 and the grinding table 107. Fig. 9 is a diagram explaining the movement of the cutting table 59 and the grinding table 107, and Fig. 10 is a side view of a cutting device 60 shown as an example installed in the cutting area 20. Fig. 11 is a front view of the cutting device 60, and Fig. 12 is a top view of the cutting device 60.

[0088] The notching area 20 is equipped with a notching table 59 (notching table) on which the glass plates 11a, 11b positioned in the carry-in area 19 are placed, and a notching device 60 (cutting device) that makes notches in the edge portions e (periphery portions) of the glass plates 11a, 11b placed on the notching table 59. In Figures 7 and 8, the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) is indicated by arrow Y, and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) is indicated by arrow Z.

[0089] The notching table 59 is placed on a base lane 61a that is long in the width direction and fixed to the floor surface of the system stand 25. The notching table 59 moves in the width direction using a first movement mechanism 62 with the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b placed on it. The first movement mechanism 62 is composed of a travel guide rail 63a, a feed screw 64a (ball screw), a fourth servo motor 65, a guide shoe 66a, and a slide block 67a (housing nut). The travel guide rail 63a is placed on the upper surface of the base lane 61a and extends in the width direction. The feed screw 64a (ball screw) is placed on the upper surface of the base lane 61a, beside the travel guide rail 63a, and extends in the width direction. The fourth servo motor 65 is placed on the base lane 61a and reciprocates the notching table 59 in the width direction.

[0090] The other end of the feed screw 64a is connected to the shaft of the fourth servo motor 65. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the fourth servo motor 65 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the fourth servo motor 65 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the fourth servo motor 65.

[0091] The feed screw 64a is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base lane 61a. The guide shoe 66a is attached to the underside of the cutting table 59 and extends in the width direction. The guide shoe 66a is slidably fitted into the traveling guide rail 63a. A slide block 67a (housing nut) is attached to the underside of the cutting table 59 and between the guide shoes 66a. The slide block 67a is rotatably threaded onto the feed screw 64a.

[0092] When the shaft of the fourth servo motor 65 rotates clockwise, the feed screw 64a rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the feed screw 64a moves the slide block 67a widthwise from the other side edge 53b of the cutting area 20 to one side edge 53a, and the movement of the slide block 67a moves the cutting table 59 widthwise from the other side edge 53b of the cutting area 20 to one side edge 53a. Conversely, when the shaft of the fourth servo motor 65 rotates counterclockwise, the feed screw 64a rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw 64a moves the slide block 67a widthwise. 20 The feed screw 64a moves widthwise from one side edge 53a to the other side edge 53b of the cutting area 20, and the movement of the slide block 67a moves the cutting table 59 widthwise from one side edge 53a to the other side edge 53b of the cutting area 20.

[0093] The slitting device 60 includes a slitting tool 68, an air cylinder 69, and a fifth servo motor 70. The slitting tool 68 is formed of a slitting cutter wheel 71, a slitting cutter holder 72 (slitting holder), a cutter lifting shaft 73, and a cutter lifting guide 74. The slitting cutter wheel 71 is connected to the slitting cutter holder 72 via a bearing (not shown), and rotates freely along the axis of the interposed bearing. The slitting cutter wheel 71 forms slits in the edge portions e (periphery portions) of the glass sheets 11a and 11b.

[0094] The cutting cutter holder 72 is located directly above the cutting cutter wheel 71 and is connected to the cutter wheel 71 to support the cutter wheel 71. The cutter lifting shaft 73 is located directly above the cutting cutter holder 72 and is connected to the cutter holder 72 to support the cutter holder 72. The cutter lifting guide 74 is located directly above the cutter lifting shaft 73 and is connected to the cutter lifting shaft 73 to support the cutter lifting shaft 73. The cutting tool 68 (including the air cylinder 69) is connected to a support shaft 75 located directly above the air cylinder 69 and rotatably supports the cutting tool 68. The support shaft 75 is attached to a bracket 76 located directly above it. The bracket 76 (cutting device 60) is connected to the first moving means 28 of the transport mechanism 24, which moves forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0095] The air cylinder 69 is installed directly above the cutter lifting shaft 73. The air cylinder 69 moves the cutter wheel 71 (cutter holder 72) up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to cut a cut line (score) on the edge portion e of the glass plates 11a and 11b. of During the formation, the cutter wheel 71 is lowered toward the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to apply (impart) cutting pressure (downward pressing force) to the cutter wheel 71. The shaft of the fifth servo motor 70 is connected to the support shaft 75 via a timing belt 77. The fifth servo motor 70 fine-tunes the cutting direction of the cutting tool 68 (cutting cutter wheel 71) (the angle around an axis perpendicular to the XY plane).

[0096] A control unit that controls the start / stop, rotation speed, and number of rotations of the fifth servo motor 70 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the fifth servo motor 70 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the fifth servo motor 70 at a predetermined rotation speed and number of rotations, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the fifth servo motor 70. In the cutting device 60, the control unit of the fifth servo motor 70 rotates the shaft of the motor 70 based on an NC control signal sent from the controller, and NC controls the cutting tool 68 (cutting cutter wheel 71). According to the NC control, the cutting tool 68 (cutting cutter wheel 71) forms a cut in the edge portion e (periphery) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b according to the desired shape.

[0097] Fig. 13 is a top view of the cutting table 78, Fig. 14 is a side view of the cutting table 78, Fig. 15 is a side view of the cutting device 79, Fig. 16 is a side view of the cutting device 79, 79 17 is a front view of the glass sheet 11 a, 11 b. Fig. 17 is a top view of the glass sheet 11 a, 11 b, and Fig. 18 is an enlarged side view of the glass sheet 11 a, 11 b. The glass sheet 11 a, 11 b is positioned in the carry-in area 19 and has been cut in the cutting area 20. The glass sheet 11 a, 11 b is placed on a cutting table 78 (cutting table) on which the glass sheet 11 a, 11 b is placed, and the glass sheet 11 a, 11 b is cut at an edge e (periphery) located outside the cut of the glass sheet 11 a, 11 b placed on the cutting table 78.

[0098] The breaking table 78 is formed of a belt conveyor 80 that runs in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and a conveyor drive motor 81 that drives the belt conveyor 80, and is installed on a base plate fixed to the floor of the system stand 25. The belt conveyor 80 is formed of a belt 82 that extends in the width direction, a plurality of pulleys 83 and carrier rollers 84 that support the belt 82, and a conveyor frame 85 that supports the belt 82, the pulleys 83, and the carrier rollers 84. The glass sheets 11a and 11b that have been cut are placed on the belt conveyor 80. The belt conveyor 80 transports the edge portions e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b broken by the breaking device 79 to the other side in the width direction (from one side edge portion 53a to the other side edge portion 53b), and discards the edge portions e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b in a dust box (not shown).

[0099] The shaft of the conveyor drive motor 81 is connected to the pulley 83 by a timing belt. A control unit that controls the start and stop of the conveyor drive motor 81 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The rotational speed of the shaft of the conveyor drive motor 81 (the running speed of the belt) is set in advance, and the rotational speed (the running speed of the belt) is stored in a large-capacity hard disk of the controller in association with specific information about the conveyor drive motor 81. When the control unit of the conveyor drive motor 81 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the drive motor 81 at a predetermined number of rotations, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the drive motor 81. When the shaft of the conveyor drive motor 81 rotates clockwise, the rotation is transmitted to the pulley 83 via the timing belt, causing the pulley 83 to rotate clockwise. The rotation of the pulley 83 causes the belt 82 to travel in the other direction in the width direction.

[0100] The cutting device 79 is formed of two devices, a first cutting device 79a and a second cutting device 79b, which are spaced apart in the width direction. The first and second cutting devices 79a, 79b are connected to a suspension frame 86. The suspension frame 86 is connected to a side portion of the second guide frame 35. The first cutting device 79a has a cutting tool 87a, a first air cylinder 88a, a second air cylinder 89a, a sixth servo motor 90 (Z-axis servo motor), a seventh servo motor 91 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis first actuator 92a, an eighth servo motor 93 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis first actuator 94a, and a first actuator frame 95a.

[0101] The second breaking device 79b has a breaking tool 87b, a third air cylinder 88b, a fourth air cylinder 89b, a ninth servo motor 96 (Z-axis servo motor), a tenth servo motor 97 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis second actuator 92b, an eleventh servo motor 98 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis second actuator 94b, and a second actuator frame 95b. The first actuator frame 95a and the second actuator frame 95b are connected in series at their front ends.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 18, the cutting tools 87a and 87b of the first and second cutting devices 79a and 79b are each composed of a cutting cutter wheel 99, a cutting cutter holder 100, a cutter lifting shaft 101, a pressure roller 102, and a roller lifting shaft 103. The cutting cutter wheel 99 is connected to the cutting cutter holder 100 via a bearing (not shown) and rotates freely along the axis of the interposed bearing. The cutting cutter wheel 99 cuts (edge-cuts) the edge portions e (periphery portions) of the glass sheets 11a and 11b along the notches in the edge portions e (periphery portions) of the glass sheets 11a and 11b. The cutter lifting shaft 101 is located directly above the cutting cutter holder 100 and is connected to the cutter holder 100 to support the cutter holder 100. The pressure roller 102 is located near the cutting cutter wheel 99 and outward in the width direction of the cutter wheel 99, and serves to press the glass sheets 11a and 11b against the glass sheets 11a and 11b. 1The roller lifting shaft 103 is positioned directly above the pressure roller 102 and is connected to the pressure roller 102, thereby supporting the pressure roller 102.

[0103] The first air cylinder 88a is installed directly above the cutter lifting shaft 101 and is connected to the cutter lifting shaft 101. The first air cylinder 88a is connected to a support shaft 104 located directly above it that rotatably supports the breaking tool 87a. The support shaft 104 is attached to a bracket 105 located directly above it. The bracket 105 is slidably attached to the first actuator frame 95a.

[0104] The first air cylinder 88a moves the cutting cutter wheel 99 (cutting cutter holder 100) of the first cutting device 79a up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and when cutting the edge portion e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, it lowers the cutter wheel 99 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, thereby applying (imparting) a downward pressing force to the cutter wheel 99. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the first air cylinder 88a are set in advance. A control unit that controls the start and stop of the first air cylinder 88a (lifting mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the first air cylinder 88a receives a lifting signal from the controller, No. 1 The air cylinder 88a is raised and lowered.

[0105] The second air cylinder 89a is installed directly above the roller lifting shaft 103 of the first bending and cutting device 79a and near the outside in the width direction of the first air cylinder 88a, and is connected to the roller lifting and lowering shaft 103. The second air cylinder 89a moves the pressure roller 102 of the first bending and cutting device 79a up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and when bending and cutting the edge portion e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, lowers the roller 102 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, thereby applying (imparting) a downward pressing force to the roller 102. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the second air cylinder 89a are set in advance. A control unit that controls the start and stop of the second air cylinder 89a (lifting mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the second air cylinder 89a receives a lifting and lowering signal from the controller, No. 2 The air cylinder 89a is raised and lowered.

[0106] The sixth servo motor 90 (Z-axis servo motor) is located near the inside of the first air cylinder 88a in the width direction and is connected and fixed to the underside of a bracket 105. The shaft of the sixth servo motor 90 is connected to a support shaft 104 via a timing belt 106. The sixth servo motor 90 fine-tunes the cutting direction (angle around an axis perpendicular to the XY plane) of the cutting tool 87a (cutting cutter wheel 99) of the first cutting device 79a. A control unit that controls the start / stop, rotation speed, and number of rotations of the sixth servo motor 90 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the sixth servo motor 90 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the sixth servo motor 90 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the sixth servo motor 90.

[0107] The seventh servo motor 91 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the first actuator frame 95a, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis first actuator 92a. The X-axis first actuator 92a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the seventh servo motor 91 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis first actuator 92a rotates clockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87a of the first cutting device 79a moves forward in the front-to-rear direction along the first actuator frame 95a together with the bracket 105. When the shaft of the seventh servo motor 91 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis first actuator 92a rotates counterclockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87a of the first cutting device 79a moves backward in the front-to-rear direction along the first actuator frame 95a together with the bracket 105. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the seventh servo motor 91 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the seventh servo motor 91 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the seventh servo motor 91 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the seventh servo motor 91.

[0108] The eighth servo motor 93 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis first actuator frame 95a, and its shaft is coupled to the Y-axis first actuator 94a. The Y-axis first actuator 94a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the eighth servo motor 93 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis first actuator 94a rotates clockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87a of the first cutting device 79a moves together with the bracket 105 in one direction across the first actuator frame 95a in the width direction. When the shaft of the eighth servo motor 93 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis first actuator 94a rotates counterclockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87a of the first cutting device 79a moves together with the bracket 105 in the other direction across the first actuator frame 95a in the width direction. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the eighth servo motor 93 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the eighth servo motor 93 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the eighth servo motor 93 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the eighth servo motor 93.

[0109] The third air cylinder 88b is installed directly above the cutter lifting shaft 101 and is connected to the cutter lifting shaft 101. The third air cylinder 88b is connected to a support shaft 104 located directly above it that rotatably supports the breaking tool 87b. The support shaft 104 is attached to a bracket 105 located directly above it. The bracket 105 is slidably attached to the second actuator frame 95b.

[0110] The third air cylinder 88b moves the cutting cutter wheel 99 (cutter holder 100) of the second cutting device 79b up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and when cutting the edge portion e of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, it lowers the cutter wheel 99 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, thereby applying (imparting) a downward pressing force to the cutter wheel 99. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the third air cylinder 88b are set in advance. A control unit that controls the start and stop of the third air cylinder 88b (lifting mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the third air cylinder 88b receives a lifting signal from the controller, Third The air cylinder 88b is raised and lowered.

[0111] The fourth air cylinder 89b is installed directly above the roller lifting shaft 103 of the second bending / cutting device 79b, near the outside in the width direction of the third air cylinder 88b, and is connected to the roller lifting shaft 103. The fourth air cylinder 89b moves the pressure roller 102 of the second bending / cutting device 79b up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and when bending / cutting the edge portion e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, lowers the roller 102 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, thereby applying (imparting) a downward pressing force to the roller 102. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the fourth air cylinder 89b are set in advance. A control unit that controls the start and stop of the fourth air cylinder 89b (lifting mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the fourth air cylinder 89b receives a lifting / lowering signal from the controller, Fourth The air cylinder 89b is raised and lowered.

[0112] The ninth servo motor 96 (Z-axis servo motor) is located near the inner side of the third air cylinder 88b in the width direction and is connected and fixed to the underside of a bracket 105. The shaft of the ninth servo motor 96 is connected to a support shaft 104 via a timing belt 106. The ninth servo motor 96 fine-tunes the cutting direction (angle around an axis perpendicular to the XY plane) of the cutting tool 87b (cutter wheel 99) of the second cutting device 79b. A control unit that controls the start / stop, rotation speed, and number of rotations of the ninth servo motor 96 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The control unit of the ninth servo motor 96 drives the ninth servo motor 96 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed upon receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops driving the ninth servo motor 96 upon receiving a stop signal from the controller.

[0113] The tenth servo motor 97 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the second actuator frame 95b, and its shaft is coupled to the X-axis second actuator 92b. The X-axis second actuator 92b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the tenth servo motor 97 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis second actuator 92b rotates clockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87b of the second cutting device 79b moves forward in the front-to-rear direction along the second actuator frame 95b together with the bracket 105. When the shaft of the tenth servo motor 97 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis second actuator 92b rotates counterclockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87b of the second cutting device 79b moves backward in the front-to-rear direction along the second actuator frame 95b together with the bracket 105. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the tenth servo motor 97 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the tenth servo motor 97 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the tenth servo motor 97 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the tenth servo motor 97.

[0114] An eleventh servo motor 98 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the second actuator frame 95b, and its shaft is coupled to the Y-axis second actuator 94b. The Y-axis second actuator 94b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the eleventh servo motor 98 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis second actuator 94b rotates clockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87b of the second cutting device 79b moves together with the bracket 105 toward one side of the second actuator frame 95b in the width direction. When the shaft of the eleventh servo motor 98 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis second actuator 94b rotates counterclockwise. When the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the cutting tool 87b of the second cutting device 79b moves together with the bracket 105 toward the other side of the second actuator frame 95b in the width direction. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the 11th servo motor 98 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 11th servo motor 98 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 11th servo motor 98 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 11th servo motor 98.

[0115] Fig. 19 is a side view of an example of a grinding device 108 installed in the grinding area 22, and Fig. 20 is a front view of the grinding device 108. Fig. 21 is a top view of the grinding device 108. The grinding area 22 is equipped with a grinding table 107 (grinding table) on which the glass sheets 11a, 11b that have been positioned in the carry-in area 19, cut in the cutting area 20, and cut in the cutting area 21 are placed, and a grinding device 108 that grinds the edge portions e (periphery portions) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b placed on the grinding table 107.

[0116] The grinding table 107 is placed on a base lane 61b that is long in the width direction and fixed to the floor surface of the system stand 25 (see FIG. 7). The grinding table 107 is equipped with a plurality of suction pads 124 that suction-hold the glass plates 11a and 11b, and a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (air vacuum pump) (not shown) that applies negative pressure to the suction pads 124 to impart suction force to the suction pads 124. A control unit that controls the start and stop of the vacuum mechanism is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0117] The grinding table 107, carrying the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b, moves in the width direction using a second movement mechanism 62b. The second movement mechanism 62b is composed of a travel guide rail 63b, a feed screw 64b (ball screw), a twelfth servo motor 109, a guide shoe 66b, and a slide block 67b (housing nut). The travel guide rail 63b is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 61b and extends in the width direction. The feed screw 64b (ball screw) is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 61b, beside the travel guide rail 63b, and extends in the width direction. The twelfth servo motor 109 is installed on the base lane 61b and reciprocates the grinding table 107 in the width direction.

[0118] The other end of the feed screw 64b is connected to the shaft of the 12th servo motor 109. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the 12th servo motor 109 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 12th servo motor 109 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 12th servo motor 109.

[0119] The feed screw 64b is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base lane 61b. The guide shoe 66b is attached to the underside of the grinding table 107 and extends in the width direction. The guide shoe 66b is slidably fitted into the traveling guide rail 63b. A slide block 67b (housing nut) is attached to the underside of the grinding table 107 and between the guide shoes 66b. The slide block 67b is rotatably threaded onto the feed screw 64b.

[0120] When the shaft of the 12th servo motor 109 rotates clockwise, the feed screw 64b rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the feed screw 64b causes the slide block 67b to move the feed screw 64b widthwise from the other side edge 53b of the grinding area 22 toward one side edge 53a, and the movement of the slide block 67b causes the grinding table 107 to move widthwise from the other side edge 53b of the grinding area 22 toward one side edge 53a. When the shaft of the 12th servo motor 109 rotates counterclockwise, the feed screw 64b rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw 64b causes the slide block 67b to move the feed screw 64b widthwise from one side edge 53a of the grinding area 22 toward the other side edge 53b, and the movement of the slide block 67b causes the grinding table 107 to move widthwise from one side edge 53a of the grinding area 22 toward the other side edge 53b.

[0121] Furthermore, the 12th servo motor 109 is driven in synchronization with the 4th servo motor 65 in the cutting processing area 20, and the grinding processing table 107 moves from the other side edge 53b of the grinding processing area 22 toward the one side edge 53a in synchronization with the movement of the cutting processing table 59 from the other side edge 53b of the cutting processing area 20 to the one side edge 53a, or the grinding processing table 107 moves from the one side edge 53a of the grinding processing area 22 toward the other side edge 53b in synchronization with the movement of the cutting processing table 59 from the one side edge 53a of the cutting processing area 20 to the other side edge 53b.

[0122] The grinding device 108 includes a grinding tool 110, a thirteenth servo motor 111 (grinding Z-axis servo motor), a fourteenth servo motor 112 (lifting servo motor), a fifteenth servo motor 113 (cutting servo motor), a grinding wheel lifting screw 114, and a grinding wheel cutting screw 115. The grinding tool 110 is formed of a grinding wheel 116, a grinding holder 117, a cover 118, and a spindle motor 119. The grinding wheel 116 is formed in a disk shape having a predetermined diameter, and its outer circumferential surface is used to grind the glass plate 11a, 1 The edge e (periphery) of 1b is ground.

[0123] The grinding holder 117 is located directly above the grinding wheel 116 and rotatably supports the grinding wheel 116. The cover 118 is located directly below the grinding wheel 116 and covers the entire grinding wheel 116. The cover 118 is detachably attached to the grinding holder 117. The cover 118 has a slit 120 formed therein into which the edge e of the glass plates 11a and 11b is inserted. The spindle motor 119 is located directly above the grinding wheel 116 (grinding holder 117) and is installed and housed in a motor housing 121. The shaft of the spindle motor 119 is connected to the center of the grinding wheel 116.

[0124] The grinding wheel 116 rotates due to the rotation of the shaft of the spindle motor 119. The motor housing 121 is fixed to the traveling frame 32 via a bracket 122. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the spindle motor 119 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the spindle motor 119 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the spindle motor 119 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the spindle motor 119.

[0125] The 13th servo motor 111 (grinding Z-axis servo motor) is located near the rear of the grinding tool 110 and is connected and fixed to the traveling frame 32 via a bracket 122. The shaft of the 13th servo motor 111 is connected to the support shaft of the motor housing 121. The 13th servo motor 111 fine-tunes the axial orientation (angle around the axis) of the grinding wheel 116 so that the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheel 116 abuts parallel to the edge e of the glass plates 11a and 11b. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the 13th servo motor 111 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 13th servo motor 111 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 13th servo motor 111 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 13th servo motor 111.

[0126] The fourteenth servo motor 112 (elevating servo motor) is located near the outer side of the motor housing 121 (spindle motor 119) in the width direction and is connected and fixed to the motor housing 121. The shaft of the fourteenth servo motor 112 is connected to the grinding wheel elevating screw 114 and rotates the grinding wheel elevating screw 114. The fourteenth servo motor 112 moves the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 121) up and down in accordance with the thickness of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, and fine-tunes the height of the grinding wheel 116 so that the height of the grinding wheel 116 coincides with the height of the edge e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b and the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheel 116 abuts against the edge e of the glass sheets 11a and 11b. A control unit that controls the start / stop, rotation speed, and rotational speed of the fourteenth servo motor 112 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 14th servo motor 112 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 14th servo motor 112 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 14th servo motor 112.

[0127] In the initial setting when starting processing of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 116 to the center of the groove is input to the controller. The controller calculates the number of rotations of the shaft of the fourteenth servo motor 112 based on the input distance and transmits the calculated number of rotations to the control unit of the fourteenth servo motor 112. The control unit of the fourteenth servo motor 112 rotates the shaft of the fourteenth servo motor 112 at the number of rotations received from the controller. When the shaft of the fourteenth servo motor 112 rotates clockwise at a predetermined number of rotations, the grinding wheel lifting screw 114 rotates clockwise and lowers, thereby lowering the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12 1 When the shaft of the fourteenth servo motor 112 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined number of revolutions, the grinding wheel lifting screw 114 rotates counterclockwise and lifts up, thereby lowering the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12 1 As long as the thickness dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed are the same, once the fine adjustment of the height of the grinding wheel 116 is set, no further adjustment is required.

[0128] The fifteenth servo motor 113 (cutting servo motor) is located directly below the fourteenth servo motor 112 (lifting servo motor) and is mounted on the motor housing 12 1 (spindle motor 119) and located near the outer side in the width direction of the motor housing 12 1 The shaft of the fifteenth servo motor 113 is connected to the grinding wheel cutting screw 115, and rotates the grinding wheel cutting screw 115. The fifteenth servo motor 113 rotates the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12) in accordance with the width (size) of the glass plates 11a and 11b. 1) in the width direction, and fine-tune the position of the grinding wheel 116 in the front-to-rear direction so that the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheel 116 abuts against the edge portion e of the glass plates 11a and 11b. A control unit that controls the start / stop, number of rotations, and rotation speed of the 15th servo motor 113 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 15th servo motor 113 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 15th servo motor 113 at a predetermined number of rotations and rotation speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 15th servo motor 113.

[0129] In the initial setting for starting the processing of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the diameter of the grinding wheel 116 is input to the controller. The controller calculates the rotation speed of the shaft of the 15th servo motor 113 based on the input diameter of the grinding wheel 116, and transmits the calculated rotation speed to the control unit of the 15th servo motor 113. The control unit of the 15th servo motor 113 rotates the shaft of the 15th servo motor 113 at the rotation speed received from the controller. When the shaft of the 15th servo motor 113 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the grinding wheel cutting screw 115 rotates clockwise and moves backward in the front-to-rear direction, thereby cutting the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12 1 When the shaft of the fifteenth servo motor 113 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined number of revolutions, the grinding wheel cutting screw 115 rotates counterclockwise and moves forward in the front-to-rear direction, thereby grinding the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12 1 As long as the diameter of the grinding wheel 116 remains the same, once the fine adjustment of the position of the grinding wheel 116 in the front-rear direction is set, no further adjustment is required.

[0130] In the unloading area 23, there is an unloading conveyor 1 2 The unloading area 23 is supported by legs extending upward from the floor of the system base 25. 1Numeral 23 denotes a plurality of endless tracks extending in the front-rear direction (X direction) and arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction (Y direction). 1 The control unit that controls the start / stop and conveyance distance of the conveyor 23 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). 1 23 transports the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear end (carry-in entrance) of the carry-out area 23 to the front end (carry-out exit) thereof, from rear to front in the front-rear direction.

[0131] An example of processing (cutting, breaking, grinding) of the glass plates 11a and 11b will be described below. The installation positions of the suction pads 41 on the pad installation plate 42 of the first glass plate holder 40a are adjusted, the installation positions of the inner suction pads 41a on the pad installation plate 42 of the second glass plate holder 40b are adjusted, the installation positions of the suction pads 41 on the pad installation plate 42 of the third glass plate holder 40c are adjusted, and the installation positions of the suction pads 41 on the pad installation plate 42 of the fourth glass plate holder 40d are adjusted. Furthermore, the rotation angles of the first to fourth arms 43a to 43d relative to the axis of the pad installation plate 42 are adjusted, and the installation positions of the outer suction pads 41b relative to the first to fourth arms 43a to 43d are adjusted. At the start of processing, the first glass plate holder 40a waits above the loading area 19, the second glass plate holder 40b waits above the cutting processing area 20, the third glass plate holder 40c waits above the bending and splitting processing area 21, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d waits above the grinding processing area 22.

[0132] A monitor, display, or touch panel (output device) connected to the controller outputs (displays) various types of multiple glass plate images. From the various types of multiple glass plate images output (displayed) on the output device, a specific glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed is clicked (tapped) (selected). When a specific glass plate 11a, 11b is selected, the controller selects an NC control program for processing the glass plate 11a, 11b. The controller outputs (displays) to the output device an input area for the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 116 to the center of the groove, an input area for the dimensions of the glass plates 11a, 11b in the front-to-back direction, and an input area for the diameter of the grinding wheel 116.

[0133] After inputting the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 116 to the center of the groove in the input area and the diameter of the grinding wheel 116 in the input area, the input button output (displayed) on the output device is clicked (tapped). When the distance and diameter are input, the controller drives the 14th servo motor 112 to rotate the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12 1 ) is moved up and down to finely adjust the height of the grinding wheel 116, and the 15th servo motor 113 is driven to rotate the grinding wheel 116 (motor housing 12 1 ) in the width direction to fine-tune the position of the grinding wheel 116 in the front-to-rear direction. After these fine adjustments are completed, the controller outputs (displays) a processing start button on the output device. Clicking (tapping) the processing start button starts processing of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0134] The selected glass sheets 11a, 11b to be processed (before processing) are carried into the carry-in area 19. The first positioning means and the second positioning means are implemented in the carry-in area 19. The glass sheets 11a, 11b to be processed are automatically supplied to the carry-in conveyor 48 of the carry-in area 19 by an automatic supply device (not shown). Multiple glass sheets 11a, 11b to be processed, each having the same area (size) of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, are stacked vertically in the automatic supply device, and the glass sheets 11a, 11b are supplied one by one from the automatic supply device to the carry-in conveyor 48.

[0135] An example of the procedure for positioning the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the carry-in area 19 is as follows: The controller sends a conveyance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, and the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, upon receiving the forward movement signal (ON signal), drives the carry-in conveyor 48. The glass sheets 11a, 11b carried into the carry-in area 19 are placed on the carry-in conveyor 48 with their undersides 13 in contact with the carry-in conveyor 48. One side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b (including the case where the side edge 14 is curved) is parallel to one side edge 53a of the carry-in area 19, and the other side edge 15 is parallel to the other side edge 53b of the carry-in area 19.

[0136] The glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the carry-in conveyor 48 are gradually moved forward in the front-to-rear direction by the carry-in conveyor 48, from the rear to the front of the carry-in area 19. When the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the rear to the front of the carry-in area 19 and the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stoppers 49, a contact sensor installed in the stoppers 49 detects the contact of the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with the stoppers 49 and sends a contact signal to the controller.

[0137] The controller that receives the contact signal sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, and the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48 that has received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving the carry-in conveyor 48. Next, the controller sends to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48 a second rearward movement dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the carry-in conveyor 48 for positioning the front-to-rear center O of one side edge 14 of each of the glass sheets 11a, 11b (center line L2 that bisects the front-to-rear dimension of the glass sheets 11a, 11b and extends in the width direction) at the second positioning reference L2 (second virtual positioning reference line) of the carry-in area 19, and also sends a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48.

[0138] The control unit of the carry-in conveyors 48, which has received the second movement dimension and the retreat signal (ON signal), drives the carry-in conveyors 48, causing the carry-in conveyors 48 to move the glass sheets 11a, 11b rearward in the front-rear direction by the second movement dimension. When the carry-in conveyors 48 move the glass sheets 11a, 11b rearward in the front-rear direction by the second movement dimension, the front-rear direction center O1 of one side edge in the width direction of the glass sheets 11a, 11b (center line L2 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b) is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 (second virtual positioning reference line) in the carry-in area 19 (second positioning means).

[0139] After moving the glass sheets 11a, 11b rearward in the front-rear direction by the second movement dimension, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48. The control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the carry-in conveyor 48. Next, the controller sends an elevation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51). The control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51), upon receiving the elevation signal (ON signal), raises the air cylinder. The elevation of the air cylinder raises the rollers 50, exposing portions of the peripheral edges of the rollers 50 above the carry-in conveyors 48. With the raised rollers 50 in contact with the undersides 13 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the rollers 50 lift the glass sheets 11a, 11b above the carry-in conveyor 48.

[0140] After the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51) has completed its lift, the controller transmits to the control unit of the third servo motor 56 the number of rotations of the third servo motor 56 calculated from a first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the width direction of the movement mechanism (third movement mechanism 52) for positioning one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b at the first positioning reference L1 (first virtual positioning reference line), and also transmits a forward rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56. The control unit of the third servo motor 56, having received the number of rotations of the third servo motor 56 and the forward rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servo motor 56 to rotate the shaft of the third servo motor 56 clockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0141] The rotation of the feed screw caused by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 56 causes the contact member 58 to gradually move from the movement start point to one side in the width direction together with the moving arm 57. The contact member 58 moving to one side in the width direction comes into contact with the other side edge 15 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, and the contact member 58 moves the glass sheets 11a, 11b from the other side to one side in the width direction. edge The contact members 58 press the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the width direction. The glass sheets 11a, 11b pressed by the contact members 58 move on the rollers 50 in the width direction from one side to the other side in the width direction, and the outermost edge of one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the width direction, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned on the first positioning reference L1 (first virtual positioning reference line) in the carry-in area 19 (first positioning means).

[0142] When the movement of the abutting member 58 in one direction in the width direction is completed and the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the carry-in area 19, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56. The control unit of the third servo motor 56, which has received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the third servo motor 56. After driving the third servo motor 56 has stopped, the controller sends a reverse rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56. The control unit of the third servo motor 56, which has received the reverse rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servo motor 56 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 56 counterclockwise a predetermined number of rotations.

[0143] The counterclockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 56 rotates the feed screw, causing the abutting member 58 to gradually move together with the moving arm 57 to the other side in the width direction, and the abutting member 58 returns to the movement start point. After the abutting member 58 returns to the movement start point, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56, and sends a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51). The control unit of the third servo motor 56, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the third servo motor 56, and the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51), having received the lowering signal (ON signal), lowers the air cylinders. When the air cylinders lower, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b, which have been positioned by the first positioning means and the second positioning means, are conveyed. Enter It contacts the conveyor 48.

[0144] In the glass plate processing system 10, the carry-in conveyor 48 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front in the carry-in area 19 so that the front end edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b abut against the stoppers 49. Then, the carry-in conveyor 48 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b rearward in the front-rear direction, thereby positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2 in the carry-in area 19. Then, the second positioning means positions the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2. Then, the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51) lifts the glass plates 11a and 11b together with the rollers 50. Then, the other side edge 16 of the lifted glass plates 11a and 11b is moved rearward in the front-rear direction. 5By pressing and moving the glass sheet 11a, 11b in the width direction by the third moving mechanism 52, the outermost edge located most outward in the width direction among the side edges 14 on one side of the width direction of the glass sheets 11a, 11b is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the carry-in area 19. Therefore, the front-rear direction center O1 (center line L2 of the glass sheet 11a) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass sheet 11a to be processed first can be accurately positioned (aligned) with the front-rear direction center O1 (center line L2 of the glass sheet 11a) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass sheet 11b having different areas of the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 to be processed later. 3 This allows the outermost edge of one of the side edges 14 extending in the front-rear direction at one end of the width direction of the glass plates 11b of different sizes and having different areas to be accurately positioned (aligned).

[0145] Another example of the procedure for positioning the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the carry-in area 19 is as follows: The controller sends a forward movement signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, and the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, upon receiving the forward movement signal (ON signal), drives the carry-in conveyor 48. The glass sheets 11a, 11b carried into the carry-in area 19 are placed on the carry-in conveyor 48 with their undersides 13 in contact with the carry-in conveyor 48. The glass sheets 11a, 11b placed on the carry-in conveyor 48 are gradually moved forward in the front-to-rear direction by the carry-in conveyor 48 from the rear (start position) of the carry-in area 19 to the front. When the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 and the leading edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b abut against the stoppers 49, a contact sensor installed on the stoppers 49 detects the leading edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b abutting against the stoppers 49 and sends a contact signal to the controller.

[0146] The controller, having received the contact signal, sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control units of the carry-in conveyors 48, and the control units of the carry-in conveyors 48, upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), stop driving the carry-in conveyors 48. Next, the controller sends an elevation signal (ON signal) to the control units of the air cylinders (first lifting mechanisms 51). The control units of the air cylinders, upon receiving the elevation signal (ON signal), raise the air cylinders. As the air cylinders rise, the rollers 50 rise, and part of the peripheral edges of the rollers 50 are exposed above the carry-in conveyors 48. With the raised rollers 50 in contact with the undersides 13 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the rollers 50 lift the glass sheets 11a, 11b above the carry-in conveyors 48.

[0147] After the air cylinder has completed raising, the controller transmits to the control unit of the third servo motor 56 the number of rotations of the third servo motor 56 calculated from the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the width direction of the movement mechanism (third movement mechanism 52) for positioning one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b at the first positioning reference L1 (first virtual positioning reference line), and also transmits a forward rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56. Having received the number of rotations and the forward rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 56 drives the third servo motor 56 to rotate the shaft of the third servo motor 56 clockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0148] The rotation of the feed screw caused by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 56 causes the contact member 58 to gradually move together with the moving arm 57 from the starting point of its movement to one side in the width direction (side 53a of the carry-in area 19). The contact member 58 moving to one side in the width direction comes into contact with the other side edge 15 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, and presses the other side edge 15 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the width direction so that the glass sheets 11a, 11b move from the other side to one side in the width direction. The glass sheets 11a, 11b pressed by the contact member 58 are pressed against the rollers 5 0The glass plate 11a, 11b moves widthwise from one side to the other side in the width direction, and the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges 14 of the glass plate 11a, 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line) in the loading area 19 (first positioning means).

[0149] When the movement of the abutting member 58 in one direction in the width direction is completed and one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the width direction is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the carry-in area 19, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56. The control unit of the third servo motor 56, which has received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the third servo motor 56. After driving of the third servo motor 56 has stopped, the controller sends a reverse rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56. The control unit of the third servo motor 56, which has received the reverse rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servo motor 56 to rotate the shaft of the third servo motor 56 counterclockwise a predetermined number of rotations.

[0150] The rotation of the feed screw caused by the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 56 causes the contact member 58 together with the moving arm 57 to move to the other side in the width direction (the side of the carry-in area 19). edge The abutment member 58 gradually moves to the third servo motor 56 (portion 53b), and the abutment member 58 returns to the movement start point. After the abutment member 58 returns to the movement start point, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 56, and sends a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51). The control unit of the third servo motor 56 that has received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving the third servo motor 56, and the control unit of the air cylinder that has received the lowering signal (ON signal) lowers the air cylinders. When the air cylinders lower, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b are conveyed. Enter It contacts the conveyor 48.

[0151] After the undersides 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b come into contact with the transport conveyor 48, the controller sends a second rearward movement dimension of the transport conveyor 48 in the forward-backward direction to the control unit of the transport conveyor 48 in order to position the forward-backward center O1 of one side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a, 11b at the second positioning reference L2 (second virtual positioning reference line) of the transport area 19, and also sends a transport signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the transport conveyor 48.

[0152] The control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, which has received the second movement distance and the transport signal (ON signal), drives the carry-in conveyor 48, causing the carry-in conveyor 48 to move the glass sheets 11a, 11b rearward in the front-rear direction by the second movement distance. When the carry-in conveyor 48 moves the glass sheets 11a, 11b rearward in the front-rear direction by the second movement distance, the center O of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass sheets 11a, 11b moves toward the center O of the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the front-rear direction. 1 The center line L2 (which halves the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a, 11b and extends in the width direction) is positioned on the second positioning reference L2 (virtual positioning second reference line) in the carry-in area 19 (second positioning means). After the glass plates 11a, 11b have been moved rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the second movement dimension, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, and the control unit of the carry-in conveyor 48, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the carry-in conveyor 48. The glass plates 11a, 11b are positioned by the first positioning means and the second positioning means.

[0153] In the glass plate processing system 10, the glass plates 11a and 11b are moved forward from the rear of the carry-in area 19 by the carry-in conveyor 48 until the front end edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b abut against the stoppers 49. Then, the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51) lifts the glass plates 11a and 11b together with the rollers 50, and the third moving mechanism 52 presses and moves the other side edges 14 of the lifted glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction. The outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges 14 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the carry-in area 19, and after the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges 14 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 by the first positioning means, the glass sheets 11a and 11b are lowered together with the rollers 50 by the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51), and the carry-in conveyor 48 By glass plate 11a, 11b is the loading area 19 is moved from the rear to the front and the glass plate 11a, 11b the leading edge of 16 is the stopper 49 After the glass sheets 11a and 11b contact the glass sheets 11a and 11b, the carry-in conveyor 48 moves the glass sheets 11a and 11b rearward in the front-rear direction, thereby positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass sheets 11a and 11b) of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass sheets 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2 in the carry-in area 19. Therefore, the glass sheets 11b of different sizes, each having a different area of ​​the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed later, are positioned at the outermost edge of one side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass sheet 11a to be processed first. The outermost edge of one of the side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction can be accurately positioned (aligned), and the position of the front-to-rear center O1 (center line L2 of glass plate 11a) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of glass plate 11a to be processed first can be accurately aligned (positioned) with the front-to-rear center O1 (center line L2 of glass plate 11b) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of glass plate 11b of different sizes and having different areas for the upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 to be processed later.

[0154] 22 is a top view of the glass plates 11a and 11b positioned in the carry-in area 19. In the glass plate processing system 10, a large-sized glass plate 11a having a large area on the top and bottom surfaces 12 and 13 and a small-sized glass plate 11b having a smaller area on the top and bottom surfaces 12 and 13 than the large-sized glass plate 11a are first placed in the glass plate processing system 10. Positioning Means and second Positioning When positioning is performed by this means, as shown in Figure 22, one side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction of the large-sized glass plate 11a and one side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction of the small-sized glass plate 11b are located on the first positioning reference L1 (first virtual positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and the front-to-back center O1 of one side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction of the large-sized glass plate 11a and the front-to-back center O1 of one side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction of the small-sized glass plate 11b are located on the second positioning reference L2 (second virtual positioning reference line) of the loading area 19.

[0155] As shown in Figure 22, the large-sized glass plate 11a and the small-sized glass plate 11b positioned by the first positioning means and the second positioning means have the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plates 11a and 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction among one of the side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b coincide with the first positioning reference L1 (first imaginary positioning reference line), and the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-back dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) of one of the side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b coincide with the second positioning reference L2 (second imaginary positioning reference line).

[0156] After the first positioning means and the second positioning means have completed positioning of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller sends a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass plate holder 40a. The control unit of the air cylinder, which has received the lowering signal (ON signal), causes the air cylinder to lower the suction pads 41 toward the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. After the suction pads 41 of the first glass plate holder 40a come into contact with the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller sends a suction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder 40a. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism, which has received the suction signal (ON signal), activates the vacuum mechanism.

[0157] By activating the vacuum mechanism, the glass plates 11a and 11b located in the carry-in area 19 are sucked onto the suction pads 41. After activating the vacuum mechanism, the controller sends an elevation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass plate holder 40a. The control unit of the air cylinder that receives the elevation signal (ON signal) causes the air cylinder to raise the suction pads 41. Positioning Means and second Positioning The glass plates 11a and 11b positioned by the means are lifted up together with the suction pads 41 while being sucked by the suction pads 41.

[0158] After the suction pad 41 (glass plates 11a, 11b) has risen, the controller sends a forward movement signal (ON signal) to the control section of the second servo motor 39. The control section of the second servo motor 39, which has received the forward movement signal (ON signal), drives the second servo motor 39. Rotation of the shaft of the second servo motor 39 causes the slide block to move in the front-to-rear direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame, thereby moving the first glass plate holder 40a (glass plates 11a, 11b sucked by the suction pad 41) from the carry-in area 19 to the cutting area 20. Note that the movement of the slide block causes the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d to move forward in the front-to-rear direction together with the first glass plate holder 40a.

[0159] After the glass sheet first holder 40a moves to the cutting area 20, the controller sends a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the glass sheet first holder 40a. The control unit of the air cylinder, upon receiving the lowering signal (ON signal), causes the air cylinder to lower the suction pads 41 (glass sheets 11a, 11b) onto the cutting table 59 in the cutting area 20. After the glass sheets 11a, 11b, which have been sucked onto the suction pads 41 of the glass sheet first holder 40a, come into contact with the cutting table 59, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the glass sheet first holder 40a. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism, upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), stops the activation of the vacuum mechanism. By stopping the vacuum mechanism, the suction pads 41 release the glass sheets 11a, 11b from their suction, and the positioned glass sheets 11a, 11b are placed on the cutting table 59.

[0160] Next, the controller sends an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass sheet holder 40a, and the upward signal causes the first glass sheet holder 40a (air cylinder) to rise above the slitting table 59. After the first glass sheet holder 40a has risen, the controller sends a backward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the second servo motor 39, and the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates to move the first glass sheet holder 40a from the slitting area 20 to the carry-in area 19, and the first glass sheet holder 40a waits above the carry-in area 19. Note that the second to fourth glass sheet holders 40b to 40d also move rearward in the front-to-rear direction together with the first glass sheet holder 40a, and the second glass sheet holder 40b waits above the slitting area 20, the third glass sheet holder 40c waits above the breaking area 21, and the fourth glass sheet holder 40d waits above the grinding area 22.

[0161] The procedure for transporting the glass sheets 11a and 11b after cutting by the second glass sheet holder 40b from the cutting area 20 to the bending and cutting area 21, the procedure for transporting the glass sheets 11a and 11b after cutting by the third glass sheet holder 40c from the bending and cutting area 21 to the grinding area 21, and the procedure for transporting the glass sheets 11a and 11b after grinding by the fourth glass sheet holder 40d from the grinding area 22 to the unloading area 23 are the same as the procedure for transporting the glass sheets 11a and 11b from the loading area 19 to the cutting area 20 by the first glass sheet holder 40a, so a description of the transport procedures by the second to fourth glass sheet holders 40b to 40d will be omitted.

[0162] After the glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the cutting table 59, the controller sends a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. The control unit of the first servo motor 34 receives the retreat signal (ON signal) and drives the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 moves the first slide block toward the first guide frame 3. 0 The cutting device 60 moves in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear, and as a result, the cutting device 60 moves rearward in the front-to-rear direction together with the first running frame 32 in the cutting processing area 20, and the cutting device 60 is positioned widthwise outward (at the cutting processing start position) of the first corner 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0163] After the cutting device 60 is positioned widthwise outward of the first corners 18a of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65. The control unit of the first servo motor 34 that has received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65 that has received the drive signal (ON signal) drives the fourth servo motor 65. Rotation of the shaft of the fourth servo motor 65 causes the slide block 67a to move the feed screw 64a widthwise from the other side edge 53b of the cutting processing area 20 toward one side edge 53a, thereby moving the cutting processing table 59 widthwise from the other side edge 53b side of the cutting processing area 20 toward one side edge 53a side, and the cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0164] After the cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65, sends a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control units of the air cylinder 69 and fifth servo motor 70 of the cutting device 60, and sends a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. The control unit of the fourth servo motor 65, which has received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops the fourth servo motor 65. The cutting device, which has received the drive signal (ON signal) and NC control signal 60The control unit of the air cylinder 69 and the control unit of the fifth servo motor 70 drive the air cylinder 69 and the fifth servo motor 70 to perform contour control motion using NC control near one side edge 14 (one side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, and the notching cutter wheel 71 notches the vicinity of one side edge 14 (one side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Upon receiving the retreat signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 synchronizes with the notching process (during the notching process) and drives the first servo motor 34 to move the notching device 60 rearward in the front-to-rear direction within the notching process area 20. The notching cutter wheel 71 of the notching device 60 gradually moves from the first corner 18a toward the second corner 18b of the glass sheets 11a, 11b.

[0165] When the cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 finishes cutting near one side edge 14 (one side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b and the cutting cutter wheel 71 is positioned at the second corner portion 18b of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65. The control unit of the first servo motor 34 that has received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65 that has received the drive signal (ON signal) drives the fourth servo motor 65. This stops the rearward movement of the cutting device 60, and the cutting table 59 moves in the width direction from one side edge 53a of the cutting area 20 toward the other side edge 53b. As the notching table 59 moves in the width direction, the notching cutter wheel 71 notches the vicinity of the rear end edges 17 (rear end edges) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65 synchronizes with the notching (during the notching) and drives the fourth servo motor 65 to move the notching table 59 in the width direction in the notching area 20. The notching cutter wheel 71 of the notching device 60 gradually moves from the second corner 18b toward the third corner 18c of the glass sheets 11a, 11b.

[0166] When the cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 finishes cutting the vicinity of the rear edge 17 (rear edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b and the cutting cutter wheel 71 is positioned at the third corner portion 18c of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65 and sends a forward movement signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. The control unit of the fourth servo motor 65, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the fourth servo motor 65, and the control unit of the first servo motor 34, having received the forward movement signal (ON signal), drives the first servo motor 34. This stops the movement of the cutting table 59 in the width direction, and the cutting device 60 moves forward in the front-rear direction. As the cutting device 60 moves forward, the cutting cutter wheel 71 cuts the vicinity of the other side edge 15 (other side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. The control unit of the first servo motor 34, which has received the forward movement signal (ON signal), synchronizes with the cutting process (during the cutting process) and drives the first servo motor 34 to move the cutting device 60 forward in the front-to-rear direction in the cutting process area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 gradually moves from the third corner 18c toward the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0167] When the cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 has completed cutting near the other side edge 15 (the other side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b and the cutting cutter wheel 71 is positioned at the fourth corner portion 18d of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65. The control unit of the first servo motor 34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the fourth servo motor 65. This stops the forward movement of the cutting device 60 in the front-rear direction, and the cutting table 59 moves back to the cutting area. 20The notching device 60 moves in the width direction from the other side edge 53b side to the one side edge 53a side. As the notching table 59 moves in the width direction, the notching cutter wheel 71 notches the vicinity of the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the fourth servo motor 65 synchronizes with the notching (during the notching process) and drives the fourth servo motor 65 to move the notching table 59 in the width direction in the notching area 20. The notching cutter wheel 71 of the notching device 60 gradually moves from the fourth corner 18d toward the first corner 18a of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. When the cutting cutter wheel 71 of the cutting device 60 completes the cutting process near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a, 11b, the cutting device 60 moves widthwise outward from the first corner portion 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a, 11b (to the cutting start position) and waits.

[0168] Cutting processing area 20 For example, the first positioning means positions (aligns) the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having large areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed first (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)), and the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having small areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed later, The glass sheets 11a, 11b of different sizes having different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 are positioned, and the position (positioning second reference L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the center O1 in the front-rear direction of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized glass sheet 11a to be processed first (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear direction dimension of the glass sheet 11a in half) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to be processed later is aligned (coincided), and the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 are aligned (coincided) with the position (positioning second reference L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the center O1 in the front-rear direction of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized glass sheet 11a to be processed first.13 When the glass sheets 11a, 11b having different areas are positioned and then the glass sheet 11b to be processed later is cut, the movement distance of the cutting device 60 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the large-sized glass sheet 11a (the movement distance of the cutting table 59 in the width direction) becomes equal to the movement distance of the cutting device 60 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small-sized glass sheet 11b (the movement distance of the cutting table 59 in the width direction), and the movement distance of the cutting device 60 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large-sized glass sheet 11a to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet 11a becomes equal to the movement distance from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet 11b. The movement distance of the cutting device 60 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass sheet 11b becomes shorter, and the movement distance from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet 11b becomes shorter. Board 11b This shortens the distance the cutting device 60 moves before returning outward in the width direction of the small glass sheet 11b, shortens the time (non-processing time) until the cutting device 60 reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass sheet 11b, and shortens the return time until the cutting device 60 returns from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass sheet 11b to the outer side in the width direction of the glass.

[0169] After the cutting process is completed for the peripheral portions of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the glass plates 11a and 11b after the cutting process are moved to the cutting area by the second glass plate holder 40b. 20 Folding processing area 2 1 After the glass sheets 11a, 11b after slitting are placed on the cutting table 78, the controller sends drive signals (ON signals) to the control units of the first to fourth air cylinders 88a, 88b, 89a, 89b of the first cutting device 79a and the second cutting device 79b and the sixth to eleventh servo motors 90, 91, 93, 96, 97, 98 of the first cutting device 79a and the second cutting device 79b. Upon receiving the drive signals (ON signals), the control units of the air cylinders 88a, 88b, 89a, 89b and the servo motors 90, 91, 93, 96, 97, 98 drive the air cylinders 88a, 88b, 89a, 89b and the servo motors 90, 91, 93, 96, 97, 98.

[0170] The first bending / cutting device 79a, driven by the air cylinders 88a, 89a and the servo motors 90, 91, 93, has its pressure roller 102 and bending / cutting cutter wheel 99 moved in the front-to-back and width directions by the X-axis first actuator 92a and the Y-axis first actuator 94a, so that the pressure roller 102 is positioned at the edge located outside the notch in the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the bending / cutting cutter wheel 99 is positioned near the notch in the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The second bending / cutting device 79b, driven by the air cylinders 88b, 89b and the servo motors 96, 97, 98, has its pressure roller 102 and bending / cutting cutter wheel 99 moved in the front-to-rear and width directions by the X-axis second actuator 92b and the Y-axis second actuator 94b, so that the pressure roller 102 is positioned at the edge located outside the notch in the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the bending / cutting cutter wheel 99 is positioned near the notch in the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0171] The cutting cutter wheel 99 of the first cutting device 79a cuts the first corners 18a of the glass sheets 11a and 11b while the pressure roller 102 of the first cutting device 79a presses the first corners 18a downward, and the cutting cutter wheel 99 of the second cutting device 79b cuts the fourth corners 18d of the glass sheets 11a and 11b while the pressure roller 102 of the second cutting device 79b presses the fourth corners 18d downward, whereby peripheral edges of the glass sheets 11a and 11b extending outside the notches are separated from the glass sheets 11a and 11b. The separated peripheral edges of the glass sheets 11a and 11b remain on the belt conveyor 80.

[0172] Next, the pressure roller 102 and the cutting cutter wheel 99 of the first cutting device 79a are moved rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the X-axis first actuator 92a and the Y-axis first actuator 94a, so that the pressure roller 102 is positioned at an edge portion located outside the notch at the second corner 18b of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 99 is positioned near the notch at the second corner 18b of the glass sheets 11a and 11b. The pressure roller 102 and the cutting cutter wheel 99 of the second cutting device 79b are moved rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the X-axis second actuator 92b and the Y-axis second actuator 94b, so that the pressure roller 102 is positioned at an edge portion located outside the notch at the third corner 18c of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 99 is positioned near the notch at the third corner 18c of the glass sheets 11a and 11b.

[0173] As the cutter wheel 99 of the first cutting device 79a cuts the second corners 18b of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, the pressure roller 102 of the first cutting device 79a presses the second corners 18b downward, and as the cutter wheel 99 of the second cutting device 79b cuts the third corners 18c of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, the pressure roller 102 of the second cutting device 79b presses the third corners 18c downward, whereby peripheral edges of the glass sheets 11a and 11b extending outside the notches are separated from the glass sheets 11a and 11b. The separated peripheral edges of the glass sheets 11a and 11b remain on the belt conveyor 80.

[0174] After the bending and splitting process is completed and the glass sheets 11a and 11b after the bending and splitting process are lifted upward by the third glass sheet holder 40c, the controller sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the conveyor drive motor 81. The control unit of the conveyor drive motor 81, which has received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the belt conveyor 80. The belt conveyor 80 moves from one side to the other in the width direction. As the belt conveyor 80 moves in the width direction, the peripheral portions of the glass sheets 11a and 11b remaining on the belt conveyor 80 gradually move from one side to the other in the width direction, and the peripheral portions of the glass sheets 11a and 11b fall from the belt conveyor 80 and are stored in a dust box (not shown).

[0175] After the glass sheets 11a and 11b have been cut, the third glass sheet holder 40c transports the cut glass sheets 11a and 11b from the cutting area 21 to the grinding area 22, and the glass sheets 11a and 11b are placed on the grinding table 107. After the glass sheets 11a and 11b have been placed on the grinding table 107, the controller sends a drive signal to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the grinding table 107 and also sends a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism that has received the drive signal drives the vacuum mechanism. The glass sheets 11a and 11b are sucked and held by the suction pads 124 (grinding table 107) as the vacuum mechanism is driven.

[0176] The control unit of the first servo motor 34, which has received the backward signal (ON signal), drives the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, which causes the grinding device 108 to move backward in the front-to-rear direction together with the first traveling frame 32 in the grinding processing area 22, and the grinding device 108 grinds the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Body of The grinding device 108 is located outward in the width direction (at the grinding start position) of the first corner 18a (front edge 16) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Body of The peripheral portions (side edges 14, 15, front and rear edges 16, 17) of the device are moved.

[0177] After the grinding device 108 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corners 18a of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109. The control unit of the first servo motor 34 that has received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops the first servo motor 34 and drives the 12th servo motor 109 that has received the drive signal (ON signal). 9 The control unit of the 12th servo motor 10 9 The twelfth servo motor 10 9By the rotation of the shaft, the slide block 67b moves the feed screw 64b in the width direction from the other side edge 53b of the grinding area 23 to one side edge 53a, and thereby the grinding table 107 moves in the grinding area 23. 2 The other side edge of Department The grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 moves in the width direction from the glass plate 11a, 11b side toward the one side edge 53a side. Body of The glass plates 11a and 11b are located at the first corners 18a. Body of The first corner 18 a enters a slit 120 in the cover 118 of the grinding tool 110 .

[0178] After the grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servo motor 109, sends a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control units of the thirteenth to fifteenth servo motors 111-113 of the grinding device 108 and the control unit of the spindle motor 119, and sends a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the twelfth servo motor 109 stops the twelfth servo motor 109.

[0179] The control units of the 13th to 15th servo motors 111 to 113 of the grinding device 108 that have received the drive signal (ON signal) and the NC control signal drive the 13th to 15th servo motors 111 to 113 to perform contour control motion by NC control in the vicinity of one side edge 14 (one side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 116 grinds one side edge of one of the glass sheets. 14 The control unit of the first servo motor 34, which has received the retreat signal (ON signal), synchronizes with the grinding process (during grinding) and drives the first servo motor 34 to move the grinding device 108 rearward in the front-to-rear direction within the grinding area 23. The grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 gradually moves from the first corner 18a toward the second corner 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0180] When the grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 finishes grinding the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b and the grinding wheel 116 is positioned at the second corner portion 18b of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109. The control unit of the first servo motor 34 that has received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109 that has received the drive signal (ON signal) drives the 12th servo motor 109. This stops the rearward movement of the grinding device 108, and the grinding table 107 moves in the width direction from the other side edge portion 53b of the grinding area 23 toward the one side edge portion 53a. As the grinding table 107 moves in the width direction, the grinding wheel 116 grinds the vicinity of the rear end edges (rear end edges) of the glass sheets 11a and 11b. Upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109 synchronizes with the grinding process (during grinding) and drives the 12th servo motor 109 to move the grinding table 107 in the width direction within the grinding area 23. The grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 gradually moves from the second corner 18b toward the third corner 18c of the glass sheets 11a and 11b.

[0181] When the grinding process of the vicinity of the rear edge (rear edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b is completed by the grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 and the grinding wheel 116 is positioned at the third corner portion 18c of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servo motor 109 and sends a forward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. 9 The control unit of the twelfth servo motor 109 stops driving the twelfth servo motor 109, and the control unit of the first servo motor 34 that has received the forward signal (ON signal) drives the first servo motor 34. This stops the movement of the grinding table 107 in the width direction, and the grinding device 108 before The grinding device 108 moves forward in the rear direction. beforeAs the grinding device 108 moves forward in the rearward direction, the grinding wheel 116 grinds the vicinity of the other side edge 15 (the other side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Upon receiving the forward movement signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 synchronizes with the grinding process (during grinding process) and drives the first servo motor 34 to move the grinding device 108 forward in the front-rearward direction within the grinding process area 23. The grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 gradually moves from the third corner 18c toward the fourth corner 18d of the glass sheets 11a, 11b.

[0182] When the grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 finishes grinding the vicinity of the other side edge 15 (side edge portion) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b and the grinding wheel 116 is positioned at the fourth corner portion 18d of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109. The control unit of the first servo motor 34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the 12th servo motor 109. This stops the forward movement of the grinding device 108 in the front-to-rear direction, and the grinding table 107 moves in the width direction from one side edge 53a of the grinding area 23 toward the other side edge 53b. As the grinding table 107 moves in the width direction, the grinding wheel 116 grinds the vicinity of the front edges 16 (front edge portions) of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. Upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the 12th servo motor 109 synchronizes with the grinding process (during grinding) and drives the 12th servo motor 109 to move the grinding table 107 in the width direction within the grinding area 23. The grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108 gradually moves from the third corner 18c toward the fourth corner 18d of the glass sheets 11a, 11b. When the grinding process near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a, 11b is completed by the grinding wheel 116 of the grinding device 108, the grinding device 108 moves widthwise outward of the first corner portion 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a, 11b (to the grinding start position) and waits.

[0183] In the grinding processing area 23, for example, the first positioning means aligns the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having large areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed first (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)), and the first positioning means aligns the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having small areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed later. The second positioning means aligns (coincides) the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located most outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 extending in the front-rear direction in the glass plate 11a, and positions the glass plates 11a, 11b having different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13. The second positioning means aligns (coincides) the position of the front-rear direction center O1 (the center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plate 11a in half) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized glass plate 11a to be processed first. In order to position the glass sheets 11a and 11b having different areas on the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, a center line L2 (a center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the dimension of the glass sheet 11b in half) of a side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to be processed later is positioned (aligned) with a second reference line L2 (a virtual positioning second reference line) to position the glass sheets 11a and 11b having different areas on the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, and then, when grinding the glass sheet 11b having different areas to be processed later, a grinding device is used to position the glass sheets 11a and 11b until the side edge 14 of the large-sized glass sheet 11a is reached. The movement distance of 108 (the movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table) is equal to the movement distance of grinding device 108 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small-sized glass plate 11b (the movement distance in the width direction of the grinding table), and the movement distance of grinding device 108 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of large-sized glass plate 11a to return outward in the width direction of that glass plate 11a is equal to the movement distance from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of small-sized glass plate 11b to return outward in the width direction of that glass plate 11b.The moving distance of the grinding device 108 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b is shortened, and the moving distance of the grinding device 108 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b until it returns outward in the width direction of the glass is shortened, so the arrival time (non-processing time) until the grinding device 108 reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b is shortened, and the moving distance of the grinding device 108 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b until it returns outward in the width direction of the glass is shortened. board 11b To shorten the return time until the roller returns to the outside in the width direction.

[0184] After the grinding process is completed on the glass sheets 11a and 11b, the fourth glass sheet holder 40d transports the ground glass sheets 11a and 11b from the grinding process area 22 to the carry-out area 23. In the carry-out area 23, the glass sheets 11a and 11b that have been cut, broken, and ground are moved forward from the rear end of the carry-out area 23 to the front end by the carry-out conveyor 123, and the glass sheets 11a and 11b that have been processed are carried out of the carry-out area 23.

[0185] When the glass plates 11a and 11b that have been subjected to the various processes are positioned on the conveyor 123 in the conveying area 23, the glass plates 11a and 11b that have been subjected to the grinding process are transferred to the grinding table 11 in the grinding area 22. 7 the glass sheets 11a, 11b on which the cutting process has been completed are positioned on the cutting table 78 in the cutting area 21, the glass sheets 11a, 11b on which the notching process has been completed are positioned on the notching table 59 in the notching area 20, and the unprocessed glass sheets 11a, 11b positioned by the first positioning means and the second positioning means are positioned on the carry-in conveyor 48 in the carry-in area 19. In this way, in the glass sheet processing system 10, a plurality of glass sheets are transported in order from the carry-in area 19 to the carry-out area 23, and the processing of the plurality of glass sheets 11a, 11b is carried out continuously.

[0186] The glass plate processing system 10 uses a first positioning means to determine the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)) of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located farthest outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side in the width direction of a large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having a large area of ​​the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed first, and the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line) of one side edge 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side in the width direction of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having a small area of ​​the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed later. The position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)) of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction is aligned with the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)) of the glass plates 11a and 11b of different sizes having different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, and the position (second positioning reference L2) of the center O1 in the front-rear direction of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized glass plate 11a to be processed first (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plate 11a in half) of the glass plate 11a. L2The position (positioning second reference line L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the glass sheets 11a and 11b having different sizes and different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 is aligned with the position (positioning second reference line L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the front-rear direction center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to be processed later (the center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear direction dimension of the glass sheet 11b in half). After positioning the glass sheets 11a and 11b having different sizes and different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, the small-sized glass sheet 11b to be processed later (the glass sheets 11b having different areas) is aligned with the position (positioning second reference line L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to be processed later. Therefore, the movement distance (the movement distance of the cutting table 59 in the width direction) of the cutting device 60 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large-size (large-area) glass sheet 11a having a large area of ​​the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 is equal to the movement distance (the movement distance of the cutting table 59 in the width direction) of the cutting device 60 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-size (small-area) glass sheet 11b having a small area of ​​the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13. The movement distance from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the sheet 11a to the glass sheet 11a returning outward in the width direction (the movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table 59) is equal to the movement distance from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to the glass sheet 11b returning outward in the width direction (the movement distance in the width direction of the cutting table 59), thereby shortening the movement distance of the cutting device 60 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass sheet 11b compared to the glass sheet processing system of the prior art. This makes it possible to shorten the distance traveled by the cutting device 60 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b until it returns outward in the width direction of the glass plate 11b, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) until the cutting device 60 reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b, and also shortening the return time until the cutting device 60 returns from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b to the outer side in the width direction of the glass plate 11b.

[0187] The glass plate processing system 10 uses the first positioning means to align the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)) of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction among the side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having large areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed first with the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)) of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction among the side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having small areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed later, thereby aligning the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)) of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction among the side edges 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having small areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 The second positioning means positions the glass sheets 11a, 11b of different sizes having different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, and aligns the position (second positioning reference L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the front-rear direction center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized glass sheet 11a to be processed first (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear direction dimension of the glass sheet 11a in half) of the large-sized glass sheet 11a to be processed first with the position (second positioning reference L2 (virtual positioning second reference line)) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized glass sheet 11b to be processed later (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear direction dimension of the glass sheet 11a in half).After positioning 11b, grinding of the small-sized glass plate 11b (glass plate 11b with a different area) to be processed later is performed. Therefore, the moving distance (moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table 107) of the grinding device 108 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a having a large area on the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 is equal to the moving distance (moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table 107) of the grinding device 108 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having a small area on the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13. The distance traveled by the grinding device 108 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass sheet 11b to its return outward in the width direction (the distance traveled in the width direction of the grinding table 107) is equal to the distance traveled by the grinding device 108 to reach the side edge 14 of the small glass sheet 11b compared to conventional glass sheet processing systems. This shortens the travel distance of the grinding device 108 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass sheet 11b to its return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet 11b, thereby shortening the time (non-processing time) for the grinding device 108 to reach the side edge 14 of the small glass sheet 11b and the return time for the grinding device 108 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass sheet 11b to its return outward in the width direction of the glass sheet 11b. The glass sheet processing system 10 can quickly perform cutting and grinding on small glass sheets 11b, thereby shortening the cycle time for cutting and grinding.

[0188] In the glass plate processing system 10, the other side edge 15 of each of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which has been raised together with the rollers 50 by the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism 51), is pressed and moved in the width direction by the third moving mechanism 52, and the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction among one side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line) in the carry-in area 19. a In this case, the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction among the side edges 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b having small areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13 to be processed later can be accurately positioned (aligned) with the position of the first positioning means. This makes it possible to reliably position glass plates 11a, 11b of different sizes having different areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13, and the first positioning means can be performed automatically without human intervention using the feed conveyor 48, stopper 49, rollers 50, first lifting mechanism 51, and third moving mechanism 52.

[0189] The glass plate processing system 10 determines a first movement dimension of the glass plates 11a, 11b in the width direction in order to position the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction of one of the side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a, 11b at the first positioning reference L1 in accordance with the difference in the widthwise dimensions of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and determines the number of rotations of the shaft of the third servo motor 56 based on the determined first movement dimension.Therefore, the third movement mechanism 52 can accurately move the glass plates 11a, 11b in the width direction by the first movement dimension, and the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction of one of the side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a, 11b can be accurately positioned at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line) in the loading area 19.

[0190] In the glass plate processing system 10, the carry-in conveyor 48 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b rearward in the front-rear direction, and positions the front-rear direction center O1 of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b (the center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) on the second positioning reference L2 (the virtual second positioning reference line) in the carry-in area 19. Therefore, the front-rear direction center O1 of one side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a to be processed first has large areas of the upper surface 12 and the lower surface 13. The position of the center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the rear dimension in half can be accurately aligned with the front-to-rear center O1 (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the rear dimension in half) of one side edge 14 extending in the front-to-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b whose upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 to be processed later have small areas, so that glass plates 11a, 11b of different sizes and having different areas of their upper surfaces 12 and lower surfaces 13 can be reliably positioned, and the second positioning means can be performed automatically by using the feed conveyor 48 without human intervention.

[0191] In the glass sheet processing system 10, a second movement dimension of the carry-in conveyor 48 in the rearward direction in the front-rear direction is determined in order to position the front-rear direction center O1 of one side edge 14 of the glass sheets 11a, 11b (a center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear direction dimension of the glass sheets 11a, 11b in half) on a second positioning reference L2 in accordance with the difference in the front-rear direction dimension of the glass sheets 11a, 11b, and the carry-in conveyor 48 moves the glass sheets 11a, 11b in the rearward direction based on the determined second movement dimension. b is moved rearward in the front-to-rear direction, the glass plates 11a, 11b can be accurately moved rearward in the front-to-rear direction by the second movement dimension by the loading conveyor 48, and the front-to-rear center O1 of one of the widthwise side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a, 11b (center line L2 extending widthwise, dividing the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a, 11b in half) can be accurately positioned at the second positioning reference L2 (first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area 19. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 10 Glass plate processing system 11a Large glass plate 11b Small glass plate 12 Top side 13 Bottom side 14 One side edge 15 Other side edge 16 Front edge 17 Rear edge 18a to 18d 1st to 4th corners 19 Loading Area 20 Cutting area 21 Folding processing area 22 Grinding area 23 Unloading Area 24 Transport mechanism 25 systems 26a, 26b First and second pillars 27 Fixed Frame 28 First means of transportation 29 Second means of transportation 30 First guide frame 31 First guide rail 32 First running frame 33 First guide shoe 34 First servo motor 35 Second guide frame 36 Second guide rail 37 Second running frame 38 No. 2 Guide shoe 39 Second servo motor 40a-40d Glass plate holders 1-4 41 Suction pad 41a Inner suction pad 41b Outer suction pad 42 Pad installation plate 43a, 43b First and second arms 44 Slit 45 handle screw 46 Mounting plate 47 Slit 48 Intake conveyor 49 Stopper 50 Roller 50a roller 51 Lifting mechanism (first lifting mechanism) 52 Moving mechanism (3rd moving mechanism) 53a One side edge 53b Other side edge 54 axes 55 Rod 56 Third servo motor 57 Moving Arm 58 Contact member 59 Cutting table 60 Cutting device 61a, 61b base lanes 62 a 1st movement mechanism 62b 2nd movement mechanism 63a, 63b Travel guide rail 64a, 64b Lead screw 65 4th servo motor 66a, 66b Guide shoe 67a, 67b Slide block (housing nut) 68 Cutting tool 69 Air Cylinder 70 5th servo motor 71 Cutting cutter wheel 72 Cutting cutter holder 73 Cutter lifting shaft 74 Cutter lifting guide 75 Support shaft 76 Bracket 77 Timing belt 78 Folding processing table 79 Folding device 80 Conveyor Belt 81 Conveyor drive motor 82 Belt 83 Pulley 84 Carrier Roller 85 Conveyor Frame 86 Suspension Frame 87a, 87b Breaking tool 88a No. 1 air cylinder 88b Third air cylinder 89a No. 2 air cylinder 89b 4th air cylinder 90 6th servo motor (Z-axis servo motor) 91 7th servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 92a X-axis 1st actuator 92b X-axis second actuator 93 8th servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 94a Y-axis first actuator 94b Y-axis second actuator 95a First Actuator Frame 95b Second Actuator Frame 96 9th servo motor (Z-axis servo motor) 97 10th servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 98 11th servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 99 Breaking cutter wheel 100 Breaking cutter holder 101 Cutter lifting shaft 102 pressure roller 103 Roller lifting shaft 104 Support shaft 105 Bracket 106 Timing belt 107 Grinding table 108 Grinding equipment 109 12th Servo Motor 110 Grinding Tools 111 13th servo motor (grinding Z-axis servo motor) 112 14th servo motor (lift servo motor) 113 15th servo motor (cutting servo motor) 114 Grinding wheel lifting screw 115 Grinding wheel cutting screw 116 Grinding Wheel 117 Grinding Holder 118 Cover 119 Spindle motor 120 slit 121 Motor housing 122 Bracket 123 Discharge Conveyor 124 suction pad e Edge (periphery) L1 Positioning first reference (virtual positioning first reference line) L2 Second positioning reference (virtual second positioning reference line) (center line) O1 Center of the lateral edge in the anterior-posterior direction O2 Anterior-posterior center of lateral edge

Claims

1. A glass plate processing system having a carry-in area into which a glass plate to be processed is carried in, a processing area located in front of the carry-in area and in which the glass plate is processed, a carry-out area located in front of the processing area and in which the processed glass plate is carried out, and a transport mechanism that transports the glass plate to these areas in sequence from rear to front in a front-to-rear direction, When processing glass sheets of different sizes and different upper surface areas, the glass sheet processing system has a first positioning means for positioning the outermost edge in the width direction of one of the side edges extending in the front-to-rear direction of the glass sheet of different sizes and different upper surface areas to be processed later, on an imaginary line extending in the front-to-rear direction based on the outermost edge in the width direction of the side edges extending in the front-to-rear direction of the glass sheet to be processed first, the outermost edge being located outermost in the width direction, In the glass plate processing system, the first positioning means positions the outermost edges of the glass plates having different sizes and areas to be subsequently processed on the virtual line, thereby positioning the glass plates to be subsequently processed, and then the processing of the glass plates to be subsequently processed is performed, When processing glass plates of different sizes and having different areas on their top surfaces, the glass plate processing system includes a second positioning means for aligning a center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plate to be processed first in half and extending in the width direction with a center line extending in the front-to-rear direction of the glass plate to be processed later, the center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-rear dimension of the glass plate to be processed later in half and extending in the width direction, and the glass plate processing system is characterized in that the second positioning means positions the center line of the glass plate of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later in half and extends in the width direction with the center line of the glass plate to be processed first, thereby positioning the glass plate to be processed later, and then processing the glass plate to be processed later is performed.

2. The glass plate processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first positioning means and the second positioning means are implemented in the carry-in area.

3. The processing area is formed by a notching area located in front of the carry-in area, a bending area located in front of the notching area, and a grinding area located in front of the bending area, the notching area includes a notching table having a first moving mechanism that moves in a width direction with the positioned glass sheet placed thereon, and a notching device that is movable in a front-rear direction and makes a notch in an edge portion of the glass sheet placed on the notching table, the bending area includes a notching table on which the positioned glass sheet after the notching is placed, and a notching device that is movable in a front-rear direction and bends the edge portion of the glass sheet placed on the bending table, 3. The glass plate processing system according to claim 2, further comprising: a grinding table having a second moving mechanism that moves in the width direction with a plate placed thereon; and a grinding device that is movable in the front-to-rear direction and grinds the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table; wherein the first positioning means positions the outermost edge of the glass plate of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later on the virtual line to position the glass plate to be processed later, and the second positioning means positions the center line of the glass plate of different sizes and having different areas to be processed later on the center line of the glass plate to be processed first to position the glass plate to be processed later, and then the cutting, bending, and grinding of the glass plate to be processed later are performed.

4. The carry-in area includes a carry-in conveyor that transports the glass sheet from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction of the carry-in area, a stopper that the front edge of the glass sheet abuts against when the glass sheet is moved forward using the carry-in conveyor, a plurality of rollers that abut against the underside of the glass sheet to hold the glass sheet so that it can move in the width direction, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the rollers in the vertical direction, and a stopper that presses the other side edge of the glass sheet that has been raised together with the rollers by the first lifting mechanism in the width direction to move the glass sheet to the other side. and a third moving mechanism that moves the glass plate in the width direction from one side edge toward the other side edge, and the first positioning means presses and moves the other side edge of the glass plate, which has been raised together with the roller by the first lifting mechanism, in the width direction using the third moving mechanism, thereby positioning the outermost edge of one of the width direction side edges of the glass plate at a first positioning reference that extends in the front-to-back direction as the virtual line in the loading area.

5. 5. The glass sheet processing system according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the rollers has a large rotational resistance, and the roller with the large rotational resistance prevents the glass sheet positioned on the roller from moving freely in the width direction.

6. The third movement mechanism includes an abutment member that abuts against the other side edge of the glass plate, and a servo motor that moves the abutment member in the width direction. In the glass plate processing system, a first movement dimension in the width direction is determined in accordance with differences in the width direction dimensions of the glass plate, for positioning the outermost edge of one of the width direction side edges of the glass plate that is located furthest outward in the width direction to the first positioning reference, and the number of rotations of the shaft of the servo motor is determined based on the determined first movement dimension.

7. 7. The glass plate processing system according to claim 4, wherein the second positioning means moves the glass plate rearward in the front-to-rear direction using the loading conveyor after the loading conveyor moves the glass plate from the rear to the front of the loading area and the front edge of the glass plate abuts the stopper, thereby positioning the center line of the glass plate at a second positioning reference in the loading area; and the first positioning means positions the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference using the second positioning means, and then lifts the glass plate together with the roller using the first lifting mechanism, and presses and moves the other side edge of the lifted glass plate in the width direction using the third moving mechanism, thereby positioning the outermost edge of one of the width direction side edges of the glass plate at the first positioning reference in the loading area.

8. 8. The glass plate processing system according to claim 7, wherein the second movement dimension of the input conveyor in the forward / backward direction is determined in accordance with the difference in the forward / backward dimensions of the glass plate so as to position the center line of the glass plate at the second positioning reference, and the second positioning means causes the input conveyor to move the glass plate in the forward / backward direction by the determined second movement dimension after the front edge of the glass plate abuts the stopper.

9. 7. A glass plate processing system as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second positioning means positions the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate, which is located furthest outward in the widthwise direction, at a first positioning reference in the loading area, and then lowers the glass plate raised by the first lifting mechanism and moves the glass plate rearward in the front-to-rear direction using the loading conveyor, thereby positioning the center line of the glass plate at a second positioning reference in the loading area.

10. 10. The glass plate processing system according to claim 9, wherein the second movement dimension of the input conveyor toward the rear in the front-to-rear direction is determined in accordance with the difference in the front-to-rear dimensions of the glass plate so that the center line of the glass plate is positioned at the second positioning reference, and the second positioning means moves the input conveyor toward the rear in the front-to-rear direction by the determined second movement dimension after the outermost edge of one of the widthwise side edges of the glass plate, which is located furthest outward in the widthwise direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference.

11. 11. The glass plate processing system according to claim 3, wherein the transport mechanism includes suction pads positioned in the loading area, the cutting processing area, the bending processing area, and the grinding processing area to suction and hold the glass plate, a vacuum mechanism that imparts suction force to the suction pads to the glass plate, and a second lifting device that lowers the suction pads toward these areas and raises them from these areas, and wherein the installation positions of the suction pads in the front-to-rear or width directions can be changed in the glass plate processing system to match the areas of the top and bottom surfaces of the glass plate.

12. 12. The glass plate processing system according to claim 11, wherein the conveying mechanism includes a pad mounting plate extending in the front-to-rear direction or the width direction, and the conveying mechanism has at least two of the suction pads arranged in the front-to-rear direction or the width direction on the pad mounting plate, and the mounting positions of the suction pads on the pad mounting plate in the front-to-rear direction or the width direction can be changed.

13. 13. The glass plate processing system according to claim 12, wherein the suction pads located in the cutting processing area are formed of inner suction pads that suction-hold the glass plate extending inside the cut and outer suction pads that suction-hold the edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut, the inner suction pads being installed on the pad installation plate, and the outer suction pads being installed on pad installation arms that extend obliquely in the front-to-rear direction or width direction from the front and rear ends or both ends of the pad installation plate.

14. 14. The glass plate processing system according to claim 13, wherein the pad installation arms are formed of first and second arms that extend obliquely from a front end or one end of the pad installation plate toward the front in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction and pivot in the width direction or the front-rear direction, and third and fourth arms that extend obliquely from a rear end or other end of the pad installation plate toward the rear in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction and pivot in the width direction or the front-rear direction, and the transport mechanism is capable of changing the pivot angles of the first to fourth arms relative to the pad installation plate and of changing the installation positions of the outer suction pads on the first to fourth arms.

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